Parenthood and Gaming: Compatability?

[Husar]

Ignore your kids till they are about eight or nine[...]

I would like you to expand on this.
As it is it sounds rather harsh and I have to try hard not to make it sound cruel.


I guess Lemur has some good advice, not like I have any kids but that doesn't mean I don't know anything about them. (been one myself before as well!)

[Adrian II]

I would like you to expand on this.

It's simple really.

Just pretend they're not there and then they won't bother you in the least. They aren't there anyway, as humans I mean, only clinically but not consciously. Of course the critters need food and cuddling and all that, but if you want that done there are always some of these characters around to take care of it, I forgot what they're called. Women, that's it. Aha.

Now, when they are around the age of nine or so (the kids I mean, not the women), there will come a glorious morning when they come down the stairs all washed and dressed, say 'Good morning', sit down, eat breakfast, pull your sleeve and - here it comes - demand to discuss the news with you.

As of that moment, you are a father.

[Vladimir]

It's simple really.

Just pretend they're not there and then they won't bother you in the least. They aren't there anyway, as humans I mean, only clinically but not consciously. Of course the critters need food and cuddling and all that, but if you want that done there are always some of these characters around to take care of it, I forgot what they're called. Women, that's it. Aha.

Now, when they are around the age of nine or so (the kids I mean, not the women), there will come a glorious morning when they come down the stairs all washed and dressed, say 'Good morning', sit down, eat breakfast, pull your sleeve and - here it comes - demand to discuss the news with you.

As of that moment, you are a father.

I wonder what Holland was like in the 50's. Oh wait...

[Beirut]

Parenthood and gaming you say?

Yeah... let me tell you a story.

Back in August we get Otis, a six-week old Blonde Lab. I didn't want the dog but the kids wanted it big time. "When can we bring Otis home?" That's all I hear for weeks. Fine, we spend the $350 and bring the puppy home.

Puppy grows up, and six months later the kids don't find Otis as cute as before and Otis now exists as a child-neglected dog.

A few weeks ago I'm in the kitchen and my 10 year-old is sitting on the couch playing with something. I go over and see. "What's that?" I ask. "It's a Nintendo DSD." (Or whatever.) "Wha'cha playing," I ask. "' "It's a dog game," she says, "you have a dog and you have to take care of it. You have to walk it and feed it and everything."

Excuse me?

So the kids won't walk Otis and barely ever feed him, but now they have these bloody DSD Gameboy games with digital dogs (blonde labs!) and they walk them and feed them and you can even use a special pen that comes with the thing to pat the ******* dog! You can even talk to the game and tell the dog to sit. ARRRRGGH!

So, a few night ago, I'm back in the kitchen, the two kids are on the floor patting and feeding and walking the digital dog, and Otis is lying behind them looking as sad as a labrador possibly can. And that's pretty sad.

Parent's and gaming? Prepare to go insane.

(I told them they have to play the dog game where I can't see or hear them because I will throw that bloody gameboy right out the window the next time I see them patting a digital dog while the real one is lying at their feet neglected and unwalked.)

[Vladimir]

Axe time.

[Adrian II]

I will throw that bloody gameboy right out the window the next time [..]

You mean you haven't done that yet?

[Vladimir]

You mean you haven't done that yet?

I'd use the splitting maul from the Firewood thread. Two words my kids are going to learn: Daddy's mean!

[Adrian II]

I'd use the splitting maul from the Firewood thread. Two words my kids are going to learn: Daddy's mean!

Yeah, I remember that maul. It looked like you could split an average kid in two clean halves with that thing.

[Sarmatian]

It's simple really.

Just pretend they're not there and then they won't bother you in the least. They aren't there anyway, as humans I mean, only clinically but not consciously. Of course the critters need food and cuddling and all that, but if you want that done there are always some of these characters around to take care of it, I forgot what they're called. Women, that's it. Aha.

Won't work. Women today are smart. It's like they've got a mind of their own.

Apart from that, very good template.

[Caius]

You can also stay up all night playing RTW and taking care of the boy. The Lost Souls song may scare your baby, so whatever you do:
1)Take care of the baby
2)Take care of the army
3)Make sure he is fine
4)Make sure the army is fine
5)Make sure he has everything
6)Make sure you click the end turn button
And the list goes.

[pevergreen]

As a young person, and a frequent game player I urge new parents to not let the kids play games.

I am happy with my life, but I'm aware it could be so much better if I didnt spend half my time playing games on the PC or Wii or whatever.

If you do, strictly regulate it. Please.

[Husar]

My life could be so much boring if I didn't have any games to play, actually right now I don't feel like playing any and already I'm posting in this pathetic place, even thinking about opening a new topic.
I mean where are kids supposed to play nowadays? In the wilderness you have insects and other animals trying to eat them and in those concrete blocks we call cities one can hardly play.
Computers are the modern way to enjoy nature insect-free.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

No I really don't like insects a lot.

[Guillaume le Batard]

As a young person, and a frequent game player I urge new parents to not let the kids play games.

I am happy with my life, but I'm aware it could be so much better if I didnt spend half my time playing games on the PC or Wii or whatever.

If you do, strictly regulate it. Please.

I think the point (for kids or adults) is to keep life varied, as much as is possible. There have been times I have played games morning, noon, and night, and while that can be fun, I enjoy life much more when I also try something new or do things for other people.

More relevant, however, is what the missus thinks. And that means game time (the kids and mine) most definitely will be limited!

Guillaume

[naut]

I'm no parent, but from how my parents brought up me, I'd agree whole-heartedly with keeping kids away from video games. But, don't make it a rigid strict thing, that'll just make them want to play them more, it'll breed rebelliousness. Get some LEGO or a football for them to play with when they reach 4+. Teach responsibility, etc. When your kids get into games (which they will) make sure the games that interest them require the use of imagination, etc. And always give good reasons for any decision you make.

The simplest way to regulate what your kids buy is to always make sure you buy it or you go with them when they buy the stuff and make sure that both you and your spouse agree on what is allowed and what is not. If one of you two is there you can put in the veto if you think something is not necessary, etc.

Overall, don't worry too much. If you act right, they'll end up alright.

[Rhyfelwyr]

1)Take care of the army
2)Take care of the baby
3)Make sure the army is fine
4)Make sure he is fine
5)Make sure you click the end turn button
6)Make sure he has everything
And the list goes.

Fixed it for you.

I really don't think it is a good idea to regulate your kids gaming. If you are the type of parent who is more laid back and lets their kids go out, then they will do that and be better for it.

But if you want to raise cotton wool kids then its not fair to regulate things like gaming since they will be bored out of their mind. You can't dump them in the house with nothing to do.

[Beirut]

Fixed it for you.

I really don't think it is a good idea to regulate your kids gaming. If you are the type of parent who is more laid back and lets their kids go out, then they will do that and be better for it.

But if you want to raise cotton wool kids then its not fair to regulate things like gaming since they will be bored out of their mind. You can't dump them in the house with nothing to do.

As your occupation is listed as astronaut, I assume you don't spend much time on Earth and have little time for procreation. But for those us bound by gravity and children, I assure you, parenthood is all about regulation, lest your children cross the street without looking while playing with matches given to them by a stranger they talked to because they ate too much sugar.

As for not dumping them in a house with nothing to do, they can do what all us old farts did prior to Pong; play with toys and read books.

[Tribesman]

Yes. I'm sure you know all about cooking.

Why should I know anything about cooking ? thats womens work that is ,and the reason it is womens work is because sheep have difficultly using the utensils .

[Rhyfelwyr]

As your occupation is listed as astronaut, I assume you don't spend much time on Earth and have little time for procreation. But for those us bound by gravity and children, I assure you, parenthood is all about regulation, lest your children cross the street without looking while playing with matches given to them by a stranger they talked to because they ate too much sugar.

As for not dumping them in a house with nothing to do, they can do what all us old farts did prior to Pong; play with toys and read books.

Do not mock my occupation after I spent a decade training, I find your tone both offensive and unecessary.

Obviously you don't let your children go talk to the old man with the sweets, but I think they should be given some flexibilty.

For example don't switch the PC off at the socket after they've been on it for half and hour, or refuse to let them go to friends houses and things like that. And giving them pocket money is good since it gives them a bit of independence.

[Viking]

As your occupation is listed as astronaut, I assume you don't spend much time on Earth and have little time for procreation. But for those us bound by gravity and children, I assure you, parenthood is all about regulation, lest your children cross the street without looking while playing with matches given to them by a stranger they talked to because they ate too much sugar.

As for not dumping them in a house with nothing to do, they can do what all us old farts did prior to Pong; play with toys and read books.

Astronauts are not bound by gravity? Stop spreading such lies.