Many parents who welcome the idea of turning{{U}} (31) {{/U}}the TV and{{U}} (32) {{/U}}more time with the family are still worried that{{U}} (33) {{/U}}TV they would constantly be on call as entertainers for their children. They remember{{U}} (34) {{/U}}Up all sorts of things to do when they were kids. But their own kids seem{{U}} (35) {{/U}}, less resourceful, somehow. When there's nothing to do, these parents observe regretfully, their kids seem unable to come up with anything to do{{U}} (36) {{/U}}turning on the TV.
One father, for example, says, "When I was a{{U}} (37) {{/U}}, we were always thinking up things to do, projects and games. We certainly never complained{{U}} (38) {{/U}}an annoying way{{U}} (39) {{/U}}our parents, 'I have nothing to do !' "He compares this with his own children today: "They are simply lazy. If someone{{U}} (40) {{/U}}entertain them, they'll happily sit there watching TV all day. "
There is one word for this father's disappointment; unfair. {{U}}(41) {{/U}}is as if he{{U}} (42) {{/U}}disappointed in them for not reading Greek though they have never studied the language. He deplores his children's{{U}} (43) {{/U}}of inventiveness, as if the ability to play was missing. In fact, {{U}}(44) {{/U}}the tendency to play is built into the human species, the actual ability to play-to imagine, to invent, to elaborate on reality in a playful way-and the ability to{{U}} (45) {{/U}}fulfillment from it, these are skills that have to be{{U}} (46) {{/U}}and developed.
Such disappointment, however, is not only{{U}} (47) {{/U}}, it is also destructive. Sensing their parents' disappointment, children come to believe that they are. {{U}}(48) {{/U}}, lacking something, and that this{{U}} (49) {{/U}}them less worthy of admiration and respect. Giving children the opportunity to develop new resources, to enlarge their horizons and discover the pleasures of doing things{{U}} (50) {{/U}}their own is, on the other hand, a way to help children develop a confident feeling about themselves as capable and interesting people.