photo credit: smcgee via photopin cc

Where were these studies when we were kids?

The Week complied a list of 7 Health Benefits of Playing Video Games based on new research.  Their findings: Gaming helps improve motor skills, might actually reduce stress and depression, provides pain relief, can improve your vision, helps your decision-making skills, and keeps you happy in old age.

I grew up in an era when kids still "played outside." Plus, there were rules in our house when it came to "game time." Our rooms had to be clean, homework done, AND all of our chores had to be completed. I think about those days when I see my kids playing their DS at the dinner table or hear them in the back seat of the car.

I will say this though about video games, while I believe kids today spend WAY too much time with their faces buried in screens - games do help with logic and problem solving. I'm always amazed when my six-year-old can figure out levels in the Batman Wii game. I'm a 35-year-old man and I have a tough time handling the game controls and my little guy can hang in there with me. There aren't too many things parents can do with their kids like this. He can't throw my a perfect spiral, yet. I'm pretty sure my fastball would blow right by him. But when we're playing as Batman and Robin - we're an amazing team!