06 August 2007

Consequences of straddling the century line

When it comes to video games, we have always been a few consoles behind. It has never bothered my kids much; when a game was created before you were born, it looks new to you. On Saturday, however, DJ came face-to-face with the consequences of being behind the cultural curve.

DJ won a $25 Wal-Mart gift card through a contest at vacation Bible school. He couldn't wait to go spend it on a Game Cube game. Unfortunately, Wal-Mart has cleared out all of their Game Cube and Game Boy Advance games now that Wii and the Nintendo DS have been out for over a year. DJ managed to hold his head up until he got back home in his room, where he went to quietly shed some tears and pull himself together.

It is times like this that I understand why parents go broke providing their kids with everything they want. If DJ had thrown a tantrum, it would have hardened my heart. Watching him collapse in a corner under the weight of his disappointment made me want to sell something so I could go get him a Wii. Yes, I know that we could go on eBay or to a used game shop and get him some more Game Cube games. That's not the same as letting DJ go in the store with his own money and buy something shiny and new.

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