Villagers

My Virtual Villagers game is progressing. And this latest version has some funny things that are ringing close to home.

The villagers start out as babies. And when they reach the age of 14, they are able to 'work'. You take them to various 'tasks' and they will learn to do them. Important things necessary for survival like fishing and harvesting to provide food for the village. Building to provide shelter. Studying to gain technology points and learn things that help the village progress.

But the teens - oh, the teens. They are stubborn and selfish. In the latest version, they LIE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VILLAGE AND STARE AT THE SKY! And when you run your cursor over them, it will tell you they are 'bored' or 'unsure what to do' or 'doing nothing'. And they will stay in that state FOREVER unless you repeatedly drag them to a task and force them to do it. And even then, even when you've dragged them over and over to teach them to do something and they do it, they still tell you 'no'. For a long time while they're learning, they will do the task but when they're done, they stand there and shake their head and say a firm, resolute 'no'. 'NO'. Like at home, I just drag their sorry ass BACK to the task and make them do it again. And again and again and again until finally, FINALLY, they will do it on their own without you having to hover over them. It cracks me up.

And then it doesn't - because I remember that this game is currently very real-life reflection of what life is like with two teens in the house. There is a lot of DRAGGING THEM to things that are important and a lot of them begrudgingly doing it - with all that attitude filled angst and attitude teens are full of - and then telling you 'no' at the end. Now, my kids are too smart to just say 'no'. THAT would be too obvious and result in severe penalties including loss of car privileges, etc. But there is a lot of 'no' in this house lately even without the word being uttered.

We are heading into summer when the boredom factor rages strongly. We're working on filling up their days with a little fun, a little focus and some worthwhile activities that contribute to society and to our home. But it will be a constant, daily struggle. I will wage a war with them - with To Do lists and reading lists and chores, etc. And they will begrudgingly do the assignments, filled with attitude and pissiness. But they'll do it. They will. And someday, they'll realize that they are fortunate. They don't have to do things to SURVIVE. They don't have to work incredibly hard to get food and shelter and water, etc. All those things are readily available to them in this country, in this family. And they don't appreciate how easy they have it - yet - but someday, they will.

There are many things in the latest version that I love. I love that the kids all play in the puddles when it rains. I love that they dance a lot. I love how they laugh and giggle and run all over the place exploring. I love how they 'look for their mommy'. All those things are such fun, kid-appropriate things. We need more of that around this house. More laughing and giggling. More dancing. Less angst. More joy.

And I have no problem with some time for self reflection. A little contemplation is a good thing. Maybe they should try lying around a bit. Maybe those villagers know what they're doing - because they DO eventually start working nonstop, being ultra-productive and fine, contributing members of their society. Maybe. We can always hope.

It's going to be a long summer.