Doctor told me to get rid of my systems and games because of my kids!!!

So I'm 25 married with 1 son (almost a year, born 09/08/07) and 1 daughter on the way. My sons pediatrician is the same pediatrician i had while growing up which is a great thing. I trust him and he is a nice guy but the other day when i was there with my son, my wife made a comment on how much i love playing video games. He looked at me dead serious and told me i need to get rid of all my systems and my games because i have a kid now. I couldn't believe it! I grew up playing games all my life from Atari all the way through almost every console and now i own all 3 new gen ones (DS and PSP) and this guy is saying i have to get rid of everything? I still have my original NES, SNES, Sega, Sega CD, *cough* 32x *cough*, PS2, even the original game boy and game gear is sitting around somewhere and not to mention all the games for all my systems! And he wants me to just get rid of them?! haha! I don't think so. Not only do i play games, i also love collecting systems and games. There is no way i will get rid of my collection.

I believe it is just ignorance on people who don't play video games. For whatever reason they believe games are bad for kids and will turn them into these weird creatures that dwell in bedrooms and never go out into the world which will make them anti-social. Like i said, i grew up playing video games and i have a college degree, i work hard for a living and i think im an all around good guy. And I'm going to make sure my kids can play games just like i did. I understand its my responsibility to make sure my kids play the right games but if anything, myself being a gamer it will be that much easier for me to make sure they play games that are suitable for them.

With all the games out there today there is something for anyone who has an open mind. Ignorance is a sad thing. People are to quick to say games are bad without even studying them or forming any solid facts about them. They just say there bad and you cant play them because i said so. If you look at the games now there are plenty out there that make you think which will help with problem solving skills. They are becoming more and more interactive and they are constantly trying to develop new and improved ways to play games. Although games are definitely more popular now than the were back when i was growing up, there are still a lot of people who look down upon them. I hope one day games will get the justice they deserve! :x

Send him these articles:

http://www.bitburo.net/game-consoles/wii/nothing-virtual-about-wii-boxing-workout/

http://www.bitburo.net/game-consoles/wii/surgeons-embrace-wii-as-new-training-tool/

Not only are some video games great exercise, but they'll make you a better surgeon. Bet he wishes he was a surgeon. : P

Who listens to their doctor anyway?

Seriously, tough luck.

I also grew up with PC's and games, and I'm doing fine.
I think you should keep your systems.

Games made me smarter and made me liked to learn as a kid, I'd always play historical games and ever since i've been obsessed with history.

I don't consider that "poisining my mind"

The first thing I would've said to that is "Maybe you should stick to practicing medicine.".

Seriously, he has no right saying that, and I'm nt saying that because I'm a video-game enthusiast, I'm saying it because I wouldn't listen to someone who practices law tell me I have to sell my car because it's no good, you know what I'm saying?

I'd get a new doctor if I were you.

Had someone who worked as a pastor tell me the same thing, saying that games like RE are "that of the devil." Needless to say, I ignored his directions.

Oh he's absolutely right. And while you're at it, get rid of the other time-wasters in your life, like every last book, movie, and piece of music that you own. All equally worthless junk. Then you can do productive things with your son.Oilers99

...like knitting and getting him started on calculus and thermo-dynamics.

Your doctor is EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Games are great for everyone..it's all about having fun:D

I'd get a new doctor if I were you.

aspro73

i would as well, and would have told him on the way out that he was a stone age quack.

Just don't introduse your child to games with PEGI 18+ to early. But remember PEGI are designed for weak people like Germans and Brits. 18+ means about 11 in normal countries, with normal children.

Tough luck. Ask him what you'll do if you don't throw em away. Don't throw em away. Only use video games while your kids are asleep or away. Cut down on your time. I will never throw away my systems when I'm all grown. They are a part of me. I cannot just throw away the memories I had in Assassin's Creed, the joy of completing Warrior Within, or the pride I carried when beating Spiral (goes the legacy platforms).

I'll never give up on gaming. But I'll slack off my time on gaming when I'm grown.

Good luck.

You should've said "Or what?". If he said "It poisons the youth" or something leave and ask the desk person when Jack Thompson became a doctor. :PDeathHeart95

hahaha no kidding! :lol:

I got a lot more replies than i thought. Thanks for all the support everyone! I Agree with all of you. I will never get rid of my games or systems. I love gaming, ive been playing all my life and i have no intention to stop. I also enjoy just collecting them. I still have a bunch of games in their original wrapping :lol:

Im looking forward to the days when my son is old enough to play me in some Madden or whatever game at the time has some great multiplaer action. Plus the way CO-op has been picking up latley being able to play together will be a great way to spend time with him and bond. Of coarse it's not just going to be staying in and playing video games all the time. Ill get him into sports and i like camping so i will take him with me. Plus im a guitarist and i ride a motorcycle so i plan on getting him a dirt bike and going riding with him. You know, all the good stuff! :D But i really dont see any harm in playing video games. Like its been said, those people who don't play are just ignorant and make ignorant comments based on what they hear or think about them.

And great picture DarkSidexxx :D

Another idiot. I know most people think that shooting your mouth off makes you smart but I have always done things differently. My way is this, if I know nothing about something, I shut up about it until I learn more. I was playing Wolfenstein 3D before I was five and Duke Nukem when I was around six or seven. It doesn't matter.

Tell him you got rank XS Medical Prodigy on Trauma Centre so you're qualified to do your own operations now.

Nice.

Doctors are some of the dumbest smart people you will ever meet.

I'm convinced that part of the medical school process causes some form of brain damage. Most of the doctors I've met are all in their own little world and are incapable of believing that their own opinions could possibly be wrong, medical or otherwise.

I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.btaylor2404

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.ymi_basic

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

I don't think time is wasted anymore with videogames than with books.

It's something done to either relax or enrich, something that one should dedicate some time to. It's less important than raising your children properly; most things are. However, this isn't a case of being told by a psychologist that someone needs to spend fewer than four hours a day on videogames, and more time with the kids. It's being told to give it up altogether, which makes little sense.

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.ymi_basic

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

There is no medical fact to it and therefore his opinion on this matter is not any more valid for this particular topic. I'm on the verge of becoming a Dr. myself and I can tell you that most of your future Dr.s play games... Drunken Rock Band in particular at my place! :)

The phenomenon you witness with your twins is just one of distraction. Considering the age of your children, their play-styles are still probably very self-oriented (parallel vs cooperative) play (look, gaming terms found in child psych!). Since that play is very self-focused still (this is normal), whatever grabs their attention works.

I have friends in their mid 30s with kids who still game hardcore. It's all about the time management, and when you play. Put the kids to bed before you play the mature stuff. You're not gonna stop watching R rated movies, then you shouldn't stop gaming. He's a pediatrician, he should stick to that.Kuruption84

[QUOTE="ymi_basic"]

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.Oilers99

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

I don't think time is wasted anymore with videogames than with books.

It's something done to either relax or enrich, something that one should dedicate some time to. It's less important than raising your children properly; most things are. However, this isn't a case of being told by a psychologist that someone needs to spend fewer than four hours a day on videogames, and more time with the kids. It's being told to give it up altogether, which makes little sense.

[QUOTE="Oilers99"][QUOTE="ymi_basic"]

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.ymi_basic

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

I don't think time is wasted anymore with videogames than with books.

It's something done to either relax or enrich, something that one should dedicate some time to. It's less important than raising your children properly; most things are. However, this isn't a case of being told by a psychologist that someone needs to spend fewer than four hours a day on videogames, and more time with the kids. It's being told to give it up altogether, which makes little sense.

Your doctor has obviously never played a video game in his life.

your kids' lives depend on you. if you let them play those machines excessively ( more than 2 hours for a kid is excessive actually ), well, probably your kid will have no life or no friends in real but he'll be among greatest gamers if anyone cares. but if you do your homework, your children will do fine, probably...

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.ymi_basic

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

His opinion is ignorant. To actually think that i would toss all of my games and systems is ridiculous. And just because we are a bunch of addicts doesn't mean we don't know what we are talking about. I don't know what time you put your kids to sleep but my son is asleep by 8 the latest. I don't work untill 10am so i can easily get in 4 or 5 hours of gaming if i wanted to a night. If i go to sleep at 1am and sleep till 9am thats a full 8 hours and im fine for the next work day. So now you can see how i can work, rest and do whats needed to raise healthy, happy kids without restricting my gaming time.

My son is about to turn 1 and so far i think me and my wife are doing a damn good job. We know a few others couples with kids around our sons age and 1 in particular is a terror and you can trace it back to his parents. The father kind of sits back and lets the mother do everything and they dont stay consistent with the kid and you can tell. He runs around and wont listen. My boy already knows what the word No means. If i catch him crawing somewhere he doesnt belong or picking up something i dont want him to and I say NO he will stop and cry. He doesnt like the word but he knows what it means and thats a good thing.

For the record i rarley play games during the day. I mostly game at night when everyone in the house is asleep. I was the same growing up. I usually have a day or 2 during the week to watch my son and while i have him i am constantly giving him attention. Ill hold his hands and help him learn to walk. Or i will take him for a ride and go walk around the mall or take him in the backyard with our dog. So before you make any ignorant calims assuming cause im a young parent i must just sit around playing videos games and im not paying attention to my kids just know you can be a good parent and a serious gamer all at the same time. Yes it is possible!

[QUOTE="ymi_basic"]

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.RunOut1724

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

His opinion is ignorant. To actually think that i would toss all of my games and systems is ridiculous. And just because we are a bunch of addicts doesn't mean we don't know what we are talking about. I don't know what time you put your kids to sleep but my son is asleep by 8 the latest. I don't work untill 10am so i can easily get in 4 or 5 hours of gaming if i wanted to a night. If i go to sleep at 1am and sleep till 9am thats a full 8 hours and im fine for the next work day. So now you can see how i can work, rest and do whats needed to raise healthy, happy kids without restricting my gaming time.

My son is about to turn 1 and so far i think me and my wife are doing a damn good job. We know a few others couples with kids around our sons age and 1 in particular is a terror and you can trace it back to his parents. The father kind of sits back and lets the mother do everything and they dont stay consistent with the kid and you can tell. He runs around and wont listen. My boy already knows what the word No means. If i catch him crawing somewhere he doesnt belong or picking up something i dont want him to and I say NO he will stop and cry. He doesnt like the word but he knows what it means and thats a good thing.

For the record i rarley play games during the day. I mostly game at night when everyone in the house is asleep. I was the same growing up. I usually have a day or 2 during the week to watch my son and while i have him i am constantly giving him attention. Ill hold his hands and help him learn to walk. Or i will take him for a ride and go walk around the mall or take him in the backyard with our dog. So before you make any ignorant calims assuming cause im a young parent i must just sit around playing videos games and im not paying attention to my kids just know you can be a good parent and a serious gamer all at the same time. Yes it is possible!

I don't think time is wasted anymore with videogames than with books.Oilers99

IMO you're not being as good of a "non-gamer" as you could/should be. Seeing as how you're still mucking around the Gamespot forums. Apparently you have nothing better to do with your life either?Mash_Affect

I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.btaylor2404

I've noticed a similar thing as well. I noticed that when games are on it seems to have a zombifying effect on young children, 4-9 years old. They seem to go into bad moods and have vacant expressions on their faces.....

[QUOTE="Oilers99"][QUOTE="ymi_basic"]

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.ymi_basic

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

I don't think time is wasted anymore with videogames than with books.

It's something done to either relax or enrich, something that one should dedicate some time to. It's less important than raising your children properly; most things are. However, this isn't a case of being told by a psychologist that someone needs to spend fewer than four hours a day on videogames, and more time with the kids. It's being told to give it up altogether, which makes little sense.

Comes back to priorities. But if you don't have time for something like reading or playing videogames, you're probably too busy. It's not really healthy. If it can't be helped, it can't be helped. But I don't see how this situation reflects that.

[QUOTE="ymi_basic"][QUOTE="Oilers99"][QUOTE="ymi_basic"]

[QUOTE="btaylor2404"]I think he's got a slight bit of a point when it comes to babies. I have 17 month old twins and notice they play much better when my tv and games are off, so I just wait til they go to sleep. The non-stop action and noise seems to bother them.Oilers99

The doctor is just giving his opinion. His opinion is just as valid (and imo, more so) than those of a bunch of game enthusiasts/addicts on a forum. As a former gamer, I am well aware of the time that can be wasted with the pastime. As a parent of young kids, I don't see how you can work, rest, and do what's needed to raise healthy, happy kids unless you severely restrict your gaming time (maybe a couple hours per week, tops). That is my opinion and probably that of your doctor. Obviously, you are fully within your rights to ignore it. Lots of parents smoke against their doctor's advice too.

I don't think time is wasted anymore with videogames than with books.

It's something done to either relax or enrich, something that one should dedicate some time to. It's less important than raising your children properly; most things are. However, this isn't a case of being told by a psychologist that someone needs to spend fewer than four hours a day on videogames, and more time with the kids. It's being told to give it up altogether, which makes little sense.

Comes back to priorities. But if you don't have time for something like reading or playing videogames, you're probably too busy. It's not really healthy. If it can't be helped, it can't be helped. But I don't see how this situation reflects that.