A Big Change

We got a family Wii because Mark and I are realistic parents. Our kids will most likely play video games because we play video games and enjoy them. So it stands to reason that our children will be exposed at some point or another. Perhaps you will say it is a matter of self justification but we decided the Wii was the best system to get because it at least requires a degree of moving around to play most games. One of the games we got was the Batman and Robin Lego game. a)Milo loves Batman & Robin b)Milo loves legos and c) when a character dies in this game, he just busts apart into little lego pieces and then is reborn. There is no graphic violence and Milo's character can leap off a cliff to his demise 147 times in a row and comes back reborn every time. The perfect game for a beginner.

Milo is of course completely enamored with the game for the above named reasons. He hops and jumps and screams for joy and then dances around when he beats a "hard guy." However we are now struggling with problems of limiting screen time. Previously it wasn't a big deal for him to watch a 30 minute Teen Titan program because, well, it ended after 30 minutes. But the video game doesn't have to end in 30 minutes. Arguing with a 5 year old on the logic of limiting screen time I have found is a fruitless endeavor. Most nights I become "mean Mom" by turning off the tv and crushing his hopes and dreams of defeating The Penguin and Riddler.

The other day on the way home from school Milo asked if he could play his video game when he got home from school. I explained that he had some choices to make, because he could either watch the beloved Teen Titans OR play the game, but not both.

Milo: But Mom, I really want to play my video game. (harumphing and staring out the window)
Me: I know and you can do that OR watch your tv program.
Milo: But Mom, you said I have to practice to get good, and so I need to do lots of practice at my video game.
Me: (crap, he is using my words against me) Well I think you have been getting much better lately. Think about how hard the game was for you at Christmas and how far you have gotten now!
Milo: I know Mom, it is a metamorphosis.
Me : What? (What did he just say? Did he say metamorphosis? I couldn't have heard that correctly.)
Milo: (speaking slower for his silly Mom) It is a metamorphosis.
Me: Well that is a big word, do you know what metamorphosis means?
Milo: Yes, it means a big change.

(Hang on a second, is this really my kid? Where in the world did he learn such a word?)

Me: You are correct. Can you give me an example of a metamorphosis?
Milo: Hmmm, (tapping his finger against his chin) Maybe like a tadpole changes into a frog?.
Me: (completely dumbfounded at this point) You are correct again. Wow.

Milo chattered the rest of the way home about the characters from Batman, what Transformers would say if they were real. What he would do if he met Batman in person, etc. I drove in silence trying to figure out the riddle of my son's new word.

I relayed the story to Mark that night, and he was just as amazed as I was. He gave the possibility that perhaps video games were making him smarter. I shot down this theory and we went over the things he is learning at school. Currently metamorphosis is not one of those things. Hmmm? Perhaps he heard us talking about this or possibly remembered us discussing this word when we grew our butterflies last spring? Could that be possible? We weren't sure.

A day or so later Finn was of course watching Sesame Street. Elmo remains to this day his true love. Mostly I tune it out as I have logged many many Sesame Street hours in my life. However my ears perked up to a giant orange-red monster named Murray saying, "What is the word on the street? Metamorphosis. What does Metamorphosis mean? It means a big change!" I spun around fixiated on the tv. Could it be? Could Milo have seen this episode? It must be! Those are the exact words he used!

So mystery solved, and despite Milo's protestations over having to be around "Elmo" so much, and how much better video games and Teen Titans are to boring old Elmo something is obviously sinking in. So hooray Sesame Street! Perhaps I will allow a bit more screen time for Milo to watch some Elmo with his brother. Then he might learn the meaning of the word 'patience' or the phrase, 'quiet reflection.'

As Milo grows older, I will just have to get used to power struggles, but then again I suspect I will be rewarded with new words, new adventures and the wonder of watching him grow into the person he will be as an adult. So we have entered a new era in our family, it is a quite a big change for us all.