Great read! Thanks for this. It's definitely nice to be aware of the generational gap, so I don't get too upset when my 8 y/o daughter prefers to play Roblox rather than playing the new Zelda game with me. She's having her own experiences that don't have to perfectly line up with how I played games at 8.
Admittedly I do throw all of this out in one case - every game has parental controls and time limits, but I let her know that if she wants to play Earthbound, I will never limit access to that particular game... "Dad, can I have more screentime?" - "Yes, but only for Earthbound" - "Nevermind, I'll go read in my room" (SO close)
Heh, yeah, I’ve definitely had to make peace with the fact that my own 8 y/o is just not into Zelda, and may well never be. But that’s okay. But we do enjoy playing Dress to Impress together, and I’m just as grateful for that time with her
Great article and guest post! My only caveat is as a Gen Xer/Millennial cusper, video games have been a real part of my life for the duration. Granted, my dad had a Pong set before I was born. But from the Atari 7800 through the PS5 now, sure there was HYPE they're "dangerous," just like movies and rap and metal... and books. And just like all of those, they're not.
As a Gamer from my childhood... I was ecstatic to start gaming with my son. Started around 5yo and been gaming with him since.
Indeed I found the marks of the "generational gap", but this might also be a strait preference for some games than others. Yet, what I found, is that when we play together, I can pick almost any game and Jr would love it, would understand it better, would become something more to him.
Guess sharing really makes gaming more fun, how knew?! :D
Thanks for a good read. I grew up with video games and they are my passion so understand them well. As a father now myself, I enjoyed watching my own children grow into them and have their own tastes. My son in particular likes playing online whereas I always wanted to play alone, he plays a lot more sports and simulators when I prefer narrative or adventure. One of my daughters obsessively plays Animal Crossing, whereas I prefer endgoals and results. However, when we do play games together it gives us something to talk about together, a real bonding moment for me.
I'm now also much more aware of screen time. I understand that they can't play forever, yet also know they can't "just stop" at a moments notice. That is a balancing act I have to manage often.
My mum always played Sonic 2 with me, as Tails. I would inevitably speed off in most of the levels, but we had the special stages down to a fine art. That was such great bonding and problem solving as a kid. You definitely don’t have to be super involved to enjoy playing with kids, as you say, just being interested is a great start 🥰
Great read! Thanks for this. It's definitely nice to be aware of the generational gap, so I don't get too upset when my 8 y/o daughter prefers to play Roblox rather than playing the new Zelda game with me. She's having her own experiences that don't have to perfectly line up with how I played games at 8.
Admittedly I do throw all of this out in one case - every game has parental controls and time limits, but I let her know that if she wants to play Earthbound, I will never limit access to that particular game... "Dad, can I have more screentime?" - "Yes, but only for Earthbound" - "Nevermind, I'll go read in my room" (SO close)
Heh, yeah, I’ve definitely had to make peace with the fact that my own 8 y/o is just not into Zelda, and may well never be. But that’s okay. But we do enjoy playing Dress to Impress together, and I’m just as grateful for that time with her
Great article and guest post! My only caveat is as a Gen Xer/Millennial cusper, video games have been a real part of my life for the duration. Granted, my dad had a Pong set before I was born. But from the Atari 7800 through the PS5 now, sure there was HYPE they're "dangerous," just like movies and rap and metal... and books. And just like all of those, they're not.
Being a "gamer dad" was a superpower I used a lot when my eldest was younger. It was an easy way to connect with his friends and be the "cool dad."
Unfortunately, I’ve since been relegated to "embarrassing dad" as he’s grown older, which I assume is just the natural order of things.
haha, never thought being a Gamer can develop into a superpower :)) a Dad superpower... now imagine what developing games can turn into... ;)
GJ and Keep it up!
As a Gamer from my childhood... I was ecstatic to start gaming with my son. Started around 5yo and been gaming with him since.
Indeed I found the marks of the "generational gap", but this might also be a strait preference for some games than others. Yet, what I found, is that when we play together, I can pick almost any game and Jr would love it, would understand it better, would become something more to him.
Guess sharing really makes gaming more fun, how knew?! :D
Thanks for a good read. I grew up with video games and they are my passion so understand them well. As a father now myself, I enjoyed watching my own children grow into them and have their own tastes. My son in particular likes playing online whereas I always wanted to play alone, he plays a lot more sports and simulators when I prefer narrative or adventure. One of my daughters obsessively plays Animal Crossing, whereas I prefer endgoals and results. However, when we do play games together it gives us something to talk about together, a real bonding moment for me.
I'm now also much more aware of screen time. I understand that they can't play forever, yet also know they can't "just stop" at a moments notice. That is a balancing act I have to manage often.
My mum always played Sonic 2 with me, as Tails. I would inevitably speed off in most of the levels, but we had the special stages down to a fine art. That was such great bonding and problem solving as a kid. You definitely don’t have to be super involved to enjoy playing with kids, as you say, just being interested is a great start 🥰