With feet firmly planted in both camps I can see both sides. I grew up liking games. Stratego then Risk, war games in the back yard, and now console gaming. Yes I like to throw a flashbang and clear a room or flank a machine gun nest and save my squad. It can be fun, exciting even. I end up playing about 2 or perhaps 3 a year, it has to be really good though to get my interest.

The problems however, are many and varied. Most are a direct result of a lack of common sense parental supervision. The games can become obsessive-complusive if your not careful. On more than one occasion I have glanced at the clock and was shocked when it read 3 A.M.. If there is no check on some of the more violent games the identification with the game can be overwhelming for some to the point of committing the act in the "real world". (Colombine etc.)

Todays youth are so involved with electronic machines, games, PC's, texting etc. that they fail to develop communication skills. Attention level is nil and it becomes all about constant visual stimuli. Add into that the lack of physical fitness that one derives for hour after hour of sitting and flipping your fingers and all and all it becomes a negative net effect to society. It takes courage to be a good parent. You cannot be afraid of confrontation. For many parents it is just easier to let junior sit for hours on end, nice and quiet, while they go about their busy schedule rather than insist on another activity.

Gaming is here to stay. Proper supervision as to content and time frames could make it a net positive for family's and society as a whole IMO. I have no clue if my canoe crew is bringing any electronics in or not. I would not frown on it if it is quiet and applied sparingly. While I can be tough I am not without flexibility. State your case as best you can, perhaps you can persuade me to change my mind has been my parenting motto. Throw a fit and you get a spanking, cry or pout and you get nothing......... I think I may be raising the next Attorney General  .

As long as the 14 yr. old wants to be there, treat him with respect and give him lots of stuff to do.  Tell him it's a job you usually reserve for an adult, but that you think he's mature enough, strong enough, etc. and up to the task.  Give him a lift and let him soar.  Also, ask him what he wants to do, and within reason, let him do it.  Make games out of stuff.  Let's see how fast can we get this portage done.  Guess how long until the sun sets.  Think we can beat that other canoe to the island.  That kind of stuff.  Make sure he brings a book, or get him a book that has some significance to the area.

I took a May bw trip with two fourteen year olds in -- me, my daughter, my friend and her daughter.  My daughter and I also did a trip last August. No game boys or game girls or anything like that. ICK. Books-- yes. As to solitude equalling shmuckyness: I dont think so.  The wilderness allows us to each find our own peace, pace, enjoyment, contemplation time-- and a fourteen year old is old enough to master his/her own plan.

On my May trip, I was the loner who wanted to explore. The girls swam, read, and talked. The other mother read and sat in thought. We came together for meals. Every one returned rejuvenated and feeling good about each other, the experience, and our time to march to our own drummers. (Paddle to our own inner ripples????)

Have a wonderful trip.

mastertangler wrote on Dec 25^th, 2010 at 2:40pm:

I like playing that game. Trouble is trips very rarely happen the way they are expected. If I ever start predicting how trips will unfold with any accuracy that will take most of the fun out of it. What is fun is to have the totally unexpected happen and be prepared for it or excell at coping with it. That's fun.

Me thinks I have been very blessed in the unexpected.