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I realized after my last post about the DS that I didn't update you all about our trip to the naturopath. Two things came out of it:

1. We need to continue our gluten free/caesin free lifestyle. (Our "lifestyle" sounds very controversial, doesn't it? Hailing all conservatives! Our lifestyle needs as much support as the average foodie! Don't deny us our rights! Vote Yes on Prop Tic today!)

2. The DS has to go.

Yup, my savior Dr. Carroll was eloquent and compassionate and, in the end, quite persuasive and scienfitic, about why electronics are bad for kids.

The Electronics For Dummies version (I'm referring to myself as the dummy... I'm quite sure all of you have PhD's in neuroscience, so forgive me in advance) is that the high speed frequency of the characters on the video screen overstimulate childrens' frontal lobes. These frontal lobes are the main docking stations for impulse control, concentration and critical thinking. When this part of the brain gets overloaded, some kids that are very sensitive (hello, TS mamas, you know whose kids I'm talking about) their focus and self-control goes out the window.

Some kids can handle the DS in very structured increments. It's not that they are immune to this overstimulation, but like a person who has a drink a glass of red wine on occasion (or even 2... ahem) the activity doesn't cause harmful side affects since their immune system is full of good food and water.

But give a dehydrated person not just one glass of wine but 3 - and do this on a regular basis - and what you end with is a really messed up individual who simply can't operate at their best capacity.

The negative effects of this constant binging spills into their every day activities, leaving them foggy and disoriented. It leaves the people in their lives - the ones who desperately want to connect with them - living in the wake of their compulsive demons.

Such is an addict's dilemna. 

My son, unfortunately, is addicted to DS. 

So, on that note, we are on a detox plan. It will be gone by Thanksgiving.

More to come on. Would love your thoughts on this. 

* Photo from Allposters. I have no illusions of morphing into an Ozzy and Harriet family playing board games. But really, would that be such a bad idea? You know, being a family? The concept is odd... I am aware... just think about it.
 


Comments

Laura
10/03/2011 13:03

I SO need to talk to you about this! We have a little "tic"-er who loves to play his wii games. How can I reach you privately?

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andrea frazer link
10/03/2011 13:19

@Laura - Write me any time at LifeHappins@Gmail.com

I am far from an expert on this. I just know that it's not good for my kid - and not just because it makes him tic like crazy. It was a decision based on focus/obsession also. Talk to you soon!

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