CHARLIE: Parents need to talk to their children

Madam – Regarding the game “Charlie, Charlie” that school children are now playing.

I remember a time when I was in school and we played something similar when we were bored and all it did was scare us into not playing anything so silly again.

The media is reporting that children are prone to acts of violence and some are even being “possessed” because of playing this game but I find that hard to believe. I am more inclined to believe that children are just bored and want attention either from their parents or their friends.

I am not saying that supernatural forces do not exist, but in the majority of articles I have read I find myself thinking that it all sounds like a cry for help and attention.

Parents, if you discover your children are playing silly games like this, there are a few ways of dealing with it.

1. Sit down and talk to them about peer pressure or why they feel the need to subscribe to juvenile games to seek admiration or praise or attention.

2. Come up with special times to spend with your child away from the pressures of school and other commitments.

3. Be open minded when your child talks to you. Do not immediately say that they are stupid or refuse to listen to their explanations. Often, they just need someone to listen to them.

4. Plan creative things for your child to do that do not involve tasks like cleaning the house or doing extra schoolwork. This can include planting a veggie garden together, playing a boardgame or even starting to watch a television series together.

I am in no means an expert, just a parent who also used to be a school child in a small town.

Listen to your children, guide them, and encourage them to make the correct decisions.

Don’t be quick to succumb to the “Satan” aspect when they are experimenting, but rather teach them right from wrong and trust them to make the correct decisions.

Ask Mommy