Balancing Sand Castles with iPads

      Lately I have heard alot about children getting iPods, cellphones, and other gimos that I would love to own myself.  When I remember back (seems like WAYYYY back) I don't remember having any care or particular attraction to TV's or other electronic devices.  Maybe that is selective memory or maybe that's just the part of the generation that I grew up in, but whatever the reason, it is seemingly very different than the current crop of young men and boys.  I have to confess, I understand their fascination with gadgets being a bit of a gadget freak myself now (which might be attributed to the levels of electronic awesomeness that we have achieved) but I am left in constant wonder when I see a little boy sitting on a step staring at a little plastic box instead of kicking a ball around or getting covered head to toe in mud and grime.  Aren't little boys supposed to come home with garden snakes and PB&J sandwiches stuffed in their pockets instead of HDMI cables and PSP's?  What is my little guy going to fill his day up with during the summer months if kickball and baseball aren't alternatives?  What fun is hide and seek if you are using "Google Latitude" enabled smartphones? 
     I believe the only way to fight the allure of a built in electronic babysitter starts with valuing the time spent "playing" with others.  All those hours spent rolling in the dirt playing football had so many benefits unrealized until they were lost.  How can today's toddler learn to make mud pies from a iPad?  How can they really get the full benefit of learning to "run out to the stump and make a left" as a football pattern.  Losing the "hands-on" aspect of playing games with each other can only lead to a more solitary and sedentary lifestyle in my view.  I can't remember the last time that I saw kids playing leap frog...Can you?
   I am going to work really hard in impressing on my son Matty the importance of playing games with others and enjoying the simplistic activities one can only find in a park. I really don't know any better way of being a good example for my son other than by practicing what I preach... This means that I am going to have to put down the iPod, put down the Cell and get off the computer when the sun is shining.  As a one income family, the other benefit of this is realizing that being so completely connected to the Internet and to our gizmos is how much fun can be had for no cost.  As a Dad, I love this part, but WOW is it going to stink learning how to live without my iPod.... Oh well... At least I'll get to work on my jump shot again!