Extreme Keyboarding
The computers in my house are getting some serious action these days. Between my daughter writing college application essays to the schools of her dreams, and me working overtime to meet some serious pre-holiday deadlines, no keyboard in the house is getting a rest.
So when my teen son was pounding away at my laptop the other day, I was delighted. I figured he had a report to write, an essay to finish, or just some online homework to do. He was learning!
Don’t get me wrong, I had tons to do myself. We only have two computers for the three of us, so there’s necessarily some time-sharing that has to go on. One thing I learned early on in my parenting days – putting the kids first means sometimes they control a resource that I need. Whether that resource is a computer, or the TV, or money, or…
“How’s it going?” I asked my son.
He didn’t look up. He just kept banging away on that keyboard. Kid has laser focus. “Good,” he said.
(Insert parental smile of intense gratification here.)
I pride myself on giving my kids the room they need to make their own decisions, teaching them how to prioritize and make a good choice. Then sitting back and watching them succeed!
Yeah, I sometimes fall way behind, or have to stay up super late to get my computer time in. But who cares! My kids are learning. And what could be better than that?
My son was still banging away. Some essay!
“Need help?” I asked.
“No, I’m good,” he said.
(Insert parental chest puffing that would make a peacock proud.)
I’d never seen my son work so hard at an essay. He was really tearing up that keyboard, getting stuff done. I don’t need him making himself sick over stress, all in the name of getting good grades. Kids in schools these days worry so much. It’s so competitive! Stress about school. Stress about being stressed. Getting sick from being stressed. Getting stressed about being sick. Enough!
At this point, my son was whacking away at that keyboard so hard, I thought the computer might burn up! (Proud papa, yes sirree!)
Apparently, the computer thought so too. The fan kicked in.
Hmmmmmm…… you know, the only time the fan kicks in on my computer is when the processor is doing some intense graphics work. Like animation. You know, the sort of thing needed to power a computer game.
I crept behind my son without him seeing me. Sure enough, he was playing some game where a ninja runs through a campground with a ninja sword, killing every living creature in sight.
“I thought you were doing homework,” I said.
“I never said that,” my son said.
His computer time is now over. Permanently!
(At least for today. Haha.)
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Comment by Nicki
| December 16th, 2009
Yeah. Been there. Done that. We had to redefine a few things…like work and need vs. want. Good luck with that. (Rachel would have whole-heartedly approved of his game. She loves ninjas…)
Nicki´s last blog ..Much to be thankful for…
Comment by Ginger Magnolia
| December 16th, 2009
“I never said that.” HA!
Ginger Magnolia´s last blog ..Stark Raving Mad (as in, Angry)
Comment by Travis
| December 16th, 2009
Ninja’s are kid approved.
Yeah, one of the side affects of being in the profession I’m in, is that I can tell pretty quickly how a computer is being used. Just by the position of the body, the rhythm of the typing and the use of the mouse.
My kids hate me :)
Travis´s last blog ..Your Telling Me It’s In The Trees
Comment by Mindy/Single Mom Says...
| December 16th, 2009
I saw that one coming. For my kids, I’m usually busting them on Facebook instead of computer games. Gotta say, their WPM is rather impressive when IM-ing!
Mindy/Single Mom Says…´s last blog ..Men, Women, Attraction & Chemistry
Comment by Elizabeth
| December 16th, 2009
I can trust my son on the keyboard. I know what he plays — he’s a child who is very comfortable in his own head. It’s my daughter that requires lots of supervision — when she’s online I know some weird Facebook photo or 30.00 Itunes bill will surface if I’m not looking over her shoulder.
I admire your willingness to sacrifice computer time for your kids, David.
Elizabeth´s last blog ..The pity factor
Comment by LesleyG
| December 16th, 2009
Oh that is funny and not at all surprising at the same time!
This has nothing to do with anything really, but have you seen this keyboard: http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/
Awesomely geeky! :)
LesleyG´s last blog ..The stuff in line after meaningful work, true love, and a boat
Comment by Mary
| December 16th, 2009
I had to laugh when I guessed the ending pretty early on. In my house, when they are that intent on the computer, I assume it’s a game first.
Comment by Danielle
| December 16th, 2009
I thought you were going to say- reading your blog. What’s wrong with Ninja’s? They rock!
Danielle´s last blog ..I refuse to be a New Years Resolution’rs
Comment by Mark
| December 16th, 2009
I saw that one coming, ha! We parents are so easily lulled into our illusions about our children.
Mark´s last blog ..Holiday Camouflage of Pain
Comment by BigLittleWolf
| December 16th, 2009
Too funny! (Yeah, I can usually tell when I’m interrupting school work or IM’g… it’s a rhythm to the tap-tap-tap and a certain lift of my kid’s eyebrow.)
BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Battle Fatigue & Holiday Headaches
Comment by mama llama
| December 16th, 2009
That is funny! I’m not quite at that age yet. But I do specify time that the monkeys are given permission to play games…even though we’re only at Club Penguin stage right now.
I plan to move the kids’ computer up into a high-traffic area with plain view of the screen one day in the near future! Get ‘em used to it early.
Be well, Dads.
mama llama´s last blog ..an adventure, part 2
Comment by Sandra
| December 16th, 2009
I think that’s funny that you thought he was doing his homework ! The moment you said he was pounding away on the keyboard, I knew he was playing a video game.
Your son is clever and knew what he was doing, and you as the computer nerd of the house fell for it, lol.
Comment by T
| December 16th, 2009
Ha ha! That’s awesome. And that’s a dad who knows his laptop WAY TOO WELL!
;)
T´s last blog ..Hidden
Comment by Big City Dad
| December 16th, 2009
Ninjas are better than porn. At least you’ve got that!
Big City Dad´s last blog ..Have Yourself a Lonely Christmas…
Comment by ditz
| December 16th, 2009
David, I am surprised you didn’t look at his screen. I catch my kids on FB all the time.
Comment by Eathan
| December 16th, 2009
@Big city dad.. I agree.. ninjas any day over porn.
at least he didn’t lie about it..lol
Did you help him defeat the ninjas?
Eathan´s last blog ..It Must Be Dad Speech Week
Comment by Jimmy
| December 16th, 2009
Ha, very good. Great blog you’ve got going on here.
Jimmy´s last blog ..The Note
Comment by Vinomom
| December 16th, 2009
Yeah I definitely saw that one comin’! Can’t call him a liar that’s for sure!
Computer time has now been limited in our household. I’ve been concerned for awhile that Lady H was spending too much time on the damn computer. I guess laziness kept me from doing anything about it.
Tell him to go steal his sister’s laptop for gaming :)
Vinomom´s last blog ..If You’re Buying a House…
Comment by Just Me...
| December 16th, 2009
Smart kids, computers and internet access..
You gotta watch them like a hawk!! :)
Just Me…´s last blog ..Happy National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day!!
Comment by Keith Wilcox
| December 16th, 2009
I spent most of today playing Call of Duty and Diablo II instead of reading blogs like I had intended to :-) I’m glad to know I’m not the only one!
Keith Wilcox´s last blog ..Call of Duty Endowment: A Worthy Charity
Comment by Laura
| December 18th, 2009
bwahahahahaha this is so my son too :)
He has to be watched very closely!
Comment by Desiree
| December 22nd, 2009
Oh, my word that’s hilarious! D’oh!
Desiree´s last blog ..Why I’ll Never Be The Same: Day 2
Comment by Daddy Geek Boy
| December 22nd, 2009
Busted!
Comment by ilinap
| December 22nd, 2009
This is exactly what I see in my future. I figured the Ninja phase would end before the teenage years. Sigh.