That's good to hear, Lynne. 16, eh?   Wow, at 16 what turned my twins on most were online role-playing (re life-sucking grumble grumble) games and Nirvana.    And for my eldest it was Philosophy, Mathematics and Physics. He liked em better than girls, even! EEEEEKS ... oh, what a wicked whalloping of worries and woes were on my plate back then....

And I can see I haven't changed much. I'm STILL a worrier, and I do need to lighten up. Thanks so much for your thoughts Ebbie, kendall, Lynne - that helped. And you're right, there's nothing wrong with tactfully suggesting (or, uh, requesting) that the games stay home from now on. They are tiring and distracting, and detract from the educational atmosphere I strive to create and maintain as much as possible here, in my home-based music studio.

I do keep an attractive selection of comics, books, and puzzles here for the kids who are waiting - but for most kids these days, such things just can't compete with the lure of a "D-S". And I do have an excellent interactive music theory site on my desk-top, beside the piano -- when those two are a bit more advanced with reading, they'll be able to use it while they are waiting. If they insist on burning out their eyeballs, they may as well do it musically while they're here!

But I have this feeling that after the incident last week, Mom will have worked it out for herself without my "help" before I see them again. She is a fine, thoughtful Mom! So I am going to save myself the time and trouble of a stressful phone call, STOP WORRYING and wait and see. If the problem does not solve itself, I'll deal with it easily, at the appropriate time -- EASILY I say!

ANd Stilly, wow you make it sound so easy. Admirable! And I guess it must BE easier, as you have only one boy at a time to manage .... no-one to fight or compete with over the games .. can you imagine the difference if your son had a twin? ANd a big brother to boot? And the playstation was shared, and hooked up to the one and only family tv in the one and only living room ...

Anyways, I do appreciate your thoughts and suggestions folks. Thanks again!

daylia