Yesterday my kid all but begged (and it was ugly) me to let him stay home to play Black Ops II which comes out today (and yes, wanted me to go pick it up at midnight—which I did not). Sorry, but I am not that kinda parent. My own…I would never have even broached the subject. One of my sons’ friends gets “personal days” his mom will let him and his brother stay home every now and again. They live across the street so I know when they do, they’ll be outside playing basketball in the middle of the day. Worse, both her boys are in classes with two of my boys (and have been all their school lives). It’s hard to explain that, “no you can’t” when they see their friends doing it.
I will admit, I have played hooky before myself, but this was definitely not parent endorsed (nor did my mom know for that matter). And for some perverse reason I now have the guilt over it that I didn’t when I was a teen. Still… I am not going to let my kid cut school just so he can play a video game. Let me add, my kids aren’t allowed to play on school days as it is. They can get on Friday when school gets out and we have “turn off” time at 6 PM Sunday evening (no exceptions). If they stay home sick from school, they aren’t allowed to play either. It only took me a few fake coughs to figure that one out.
The rules may seem a little strict but with 4 kids playing video games after school just didn’t work out time-wise. AND Yes, they complain (ALL THE TIME) but it is what it is and has been for the last eleven years.
Those with kids, would you let them have a skip day for a new video game? Or just because? Do you let them play video games whenever as it is? Better yet, would you skip something, play hooky, for a game or just because you need a “chill” day?
