When Brynnley came downstairs Sunday morning, she was practically in tears. I asked what was wrong and she replied,
"My tummy hurts."I said,
"Are you going to be sick?""No," she said,
"But everything hurts...my arms and legs and tummy.""Hmmm," I said, followed with my standard,
"maybe it's because you are hungry. Why don't you eat breakfast?"Not long after, Addysen entered the kitchen and said,
"Oh, my stomach hurts SO bad."Puzzled, I said,
"Are you going to be sick?"Just then, Cannon came in and said,
"My somach is SO sore...it just hurts."Suddenly, everything clicked. I knew that we had a "WII EPIDEMIC."
We have a Wii - thanks to the kindness of my parents.
We have a Wii Fit - thanks again to the kindness of my parents.
And, as of Valentine's Day, WE have a WII Outdoor Challenge Game...which the kids played for several hours on Saturday.
Comically, yet
oh-so-pathetically -- they were all sore from log jumping, waterfall climbing, barrel racing, mountain boarding, kayaking, etc. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. So, I laughed...and as a result, they cried. (It hurt them too much to laugh.)
How is it that a 10, 8 and 5 year old don't get enough exercise...that they are sore from a video game? I don't recall sore muscles from my Pac Man and Donkey Kong days. (
Yes, yes, I know...clearly not the same type of game.)Of course, Greg and I could take all the blame...but it's much less of a parental guilt trip to pass some of the blame on to the school...and the lack of recess that goes on for nearly the entire winter. Case in point: Cannon got "frozen," aka "put in time out" at recess last week (one day out of 5 that they actually went outside)
for running. I was so ticked when he told me...I emailed the principal. Since when can't an 8-year-old RUN AT RECESS? (He swears he was only walking fast anyway.)
I got a phone call in response to my inquiry. I guess I am supposed to understand that times have changed. Clearly, as parents, teachers and administrators in the year 2009 we have a responsibility to protect our kids from possible scraped knees,muddy shoes, cold hands, fresh air and exercise. Clearly, I am supposed to understand how damaging those potential situations could be for my child...or for other children.
Enough ranting.
Maybe I should have written Addysen a note excusing her from P.E. (yes, she did ask me too). Afterall, I'd hate for her to have
experience anything. PERIOD.
