DH offered to run a board gaming session for DS and some of his mates (13 /14 yrs old). It's a collaborative zombie theme game, takes about 20 mins to set up and 1h30 to run.
DS got his mates over today. Two boys went out to the trampoline once they had escaped the zombies. The remaining two guests were in the game until the end, about 10 mins later and helped tidy up. During the game they were ALL on their mobiles, not taking pics to post online but playing other games when it wasn't their turn. It is generally considered good form to watch what the others are up to when it isn't your turn, but they are all new to the game apart from DS. When it was finished, DH told me that he wouldn't be doing it again because they weren't paying attention.
We haven't told DS yet. They boys are all still here. (Half on the tramp and half making mug cakes in the kitchen.)
I think DH should have told them to stop playing on their phones if it was bothering him, pointed out that it is impolite. I think it would be reasonable now to say to DS that if they want to do it again, ok but they need to leave their phones in a basket (like everyone does when we eat). They all seemed to enjoy the game and it's a shame not to encourage then in shared activities that don't involve screens. That's what I would do if it were me. I think it's an opportunity to educate.
I'm just wondering how other parents would react and also how your DCs would feel if told that they had to leave their phones alone in such circumstances?
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What would you do?
27 replies
clearsommespace · 18/09/2016 14:59
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