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The Favorite Son and friend hanging out and playing X-Box. |
For The Favorite Son (TFS), I've struggled to strike a balance that I can live with among school work, extra-curricular activities, responsibilities at home, and gaming systems. On one hand, I want TFS to be able to unwind a little or have a way to entertain his friends during "hang-out's." On the other hand, well, when there's been a gaming system available, TFS tends to play it to the exclusion of everything else. That's a problem for me.
Thirteen months ago, I bought the family an X-Box and 12 months ago, I put it away. With TFS having aged and matured another year, I decided to give it another try and recently re-installed the X-Box with a catch. TFS had to sign a contract:
The X-Box Contract
This X-Box
Contract, (hereafter, “Agreement”), made on January 11, 2015 between The
Favorite Son and Dad relates to the use of the X-Box or any gaming system, (hereafter,
“X-Box”), used, located in any room, or connected to any electronic device
located in or on the property located at our house. In consideration for having the X-Box, The
Favorite Son understands and agrees:
1)
The
X-Box may only be played by The Favorite Son on weekend days, Saturdays or
Sundays unless special permission is given only by Dad;
2)
The
X-Box may only be played by The Favorite Son on weekend days only if The
Favorite Son does his homework and chores during the previous week without
incident;
3)
The
X-Box may only be played by The Favorite Son on weekend days only if Dad gives permission;
4)
While
playing on the X-Box, The Favorite Son will willingly and without incident turn
X-Box off and stop playing when asked to do so by Dad;
5)
The
Favorite Son understands that X-Box controllers will be stored by Dad when the
X-Box is not in use. The Favorite Son will not attempt to locate X-Box
controllers;
6)
The
Favorite Son understands that failure to comply with Agreement may result in
the removal of the X-Box and temporary or permanent removal of X-Box from our
house and The Favorite Son’s privileges to use X-Box.
I promise to
comply with this Agreement:
_________________________ _________________________
Dad The Favorite
Son
I answered, "This is the kind of agreement that grown-up's make."
When we finished reading it, TFS took the pen, looked pensively out the window, and did not sign the contract. I asked, "Why aren't you signing."
He replied, "I'm thinking about it. Isn't that what grown-up's do?"
"Yes," I reluctantly answered.
*****
It's too early to tell how much benefit The X-Box Contract will be, but I'll write another blog in few weeks to update our progress.