As my kids grow up and I grow older, I am working hard to keep up with the changing times.  With all of the duties required in raising three children it would be easy for my wife and I to become consumed with the daily tasks of changing diapers and making lunches rather than staying hip to new trends in the world.  There must however, be a balance between what we accept as the natural progression of our culture and the old school values that we follow that have shaped our lives.

I certainly don’t want to be like the intolerant old dude who rails against that crazy Rock n Roll music but I also do not want to be the 40-year old idiot who pretends to be 20.  Much of the folly of youth is just that, folly.

So striking a balance between cool and curmudgeon is a difficult.  The latest decision by the Boy Scouts of America to add a Video Game Playing Merit Badge (it’s actually a belt loop) provided me with a wonderful test as to my adaptability.  Upon first hearing the news my immediate reaction was much like that of the Members of the Board of Augusta National Golf Club when it was proposed for them to allow folks that were not male, white, rich and old to join their esteemed tournament.  Not a chance, you gotta be kidding me!

As I became a bit more familiar with requirements of attaining the badge, my thinking on the issue has softened.  I actually think it is a good idea.  This is big for me because I do not like video games.  Even as kid I would much rather play outside than play video games.  But the reality is that video games are an everyday part of our lives and we should teach our kids the proper way to use and enjoy them.   Boy Scout officials say the “new badge is an attempt to teach kids how to manage their time and use a common activity that will bring families together.”  From what I can see the requirements to obtain the badge accomplish this quite well.

So Boy Scouts of Americ I am hip to your decision just as long as you keep helping little old ladies across the street.