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I have 4 kids and they're all video game nerds. As the paternal geek myself I stood out in the rain last night so they can buy Smash Bros. Ultimate. That being
by joeax 8y ago
I have 4 kids and they're all video game nerds. As the paternal geek myself I stood out in the rain last night so they can buy Smash Bros. Ultimate.
That being said, I have a simple approach that seems to work. They need to do something productive to earn playing time. That can be chores, homework, reading a book, a personal project, whatever. I also do a device-free day (usually Monday). The end result is they all get good grades and the encouragement to pursue other hobbies that enable their creative side.
- golemiprague 8y agoWhy would you stand in the rain? can't they wait a week or two? What is it with stupid people who must buy everything on the spot?
- dgzl 8y agoIMO, framing video games as a treat that has to be earned is likely the best parenting option surrounding video games.
- hnuser1234 8y agoWould you say the same for regular physical playtime? Or would you let your kids go outside and play/socialize anytime, as long as they had nothing else of more immediate importance? Why would video games be different?
- emerongi 8y agoKids come up with their own outside activities. Computer games are often built to appeal and take advantage of our brain circuits (sometimes purposefully, other times accidentally), to which kids are especially suspectible. Not that outside activities can't be harmful. Not sure how I managed to not get seriously hurt as a kid, considering some of my accidents and my stupidity in general.
- fjsolwmv 8y agoThose are activities are much healthier uses of time. Video games suck up a lot of time with zero or negative physical benefits and low mental benefits.
- fatnoah 8y agoWe do a similar thing in our house. Game time happens after everything else has been done. We do make sure that it ends at least hour before bedtime, so the brain has some time to relax. One thing my son loves is that I spend some time each week watching him play or watching streamers/youtube with him. He loves that I'm interested in what he does and makes my monitoring of these things seem less "parental".