Confessions of a Gamer Mom

[Akasha]

I read this article and thought, "Wow! Finally a game from a parent that puts everying in the right perspective. I particularly loved the comment about Quality gaming!

It’s 8:30 a.m. and I’ve just finished off the evil Maester Seymour in a tough boss battle fought on the frozen crest of Mt. Gagazet. I’ve also managed to level up all of my playable characters and have gained three new abilities to boot. Now, I’m looking toward the ominous ruins of Zanarkand to learn more about the true nature of my main character.

But first, I’ll make my kid breakfast.

Yes, I’m a thirty-something mother and wife, but I also proudly wear another title�gamer.

“But video games are so awful.� Just like Elvis, rock music and MTV, huh? I’ve heard the litany of negative accusations pointed toward the video game industry , but I’m not convinced it’s time to throw out the console and erase the memory cards just yet.

Children who grow up without the “influence� of video games are better off.

For what? I myself am a child of the eighties when Atari and MTV was all the rage. I might add that we had none of these in our household. My childhood was filled with backpacking and whitewater rafting trips, which left me, as an adult, with a healthy appreciation of nature and a tremendous desire for all things “techy.� Computers, video games, digital music�I love it all! Should my family go camping or compete in multi-player mode on SSX3? My answer is: why not both? There’s room for gaming in any healthy childhood. It’s up to us to find the balance.

Video games contribute to the growing problem of childhood _________(insert health ailment here).

I tend to think this accusation may have some merit�if your child (or anyone for that matter) spends countless hours playing video games everyday without the benefit of physical activity that requires more than dexterous thumbs. Just like limiting television, parents have to find a balance for their children. Will my kid play hide-and-go-seek outside or will he attack Metalheads on Jak II? Well, if I’ve made it clear that “game time� is not an option yet, the choice is obvious. Which would he prefer? Probably gaming. But like many kids who have tasted the fruits of fast-food, he would also prefer a Happy Meal to a turkey sandwich on whole-wheat bread. Again, it’s up to parents to set limits and, for ourselves, to exercise self-control.

Video games are too violent for kids.

Do you know why? Video games that have lots of blood, gore, killing and other mature themes aren’t made for kids. The gaming industry has done an exceptional job of establishing content ratings with age appropriate guidelines for virtually all games that are released. The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) goes to great lengths to spell out the details of game content (much better than, say, the movie industry does). The fact is, if you allow your six-year-old to play M-rated games like TrueCrime: Streets of LA or Silent Hill, you’ve only yourself to blame when the nightmares and bedwetting starts. Content ratings are beautiful things�read them!

Parents who play video games are missing out on quality time with their children.

“Quality time� is one of those nauseating catch phrases that I find hard to stomach�mainly since the term means different things to different parents. Sure, I could take my kid to the pool or a sports practice and spend “quality time� watching him adoringly from a folding chair. There’s nothing wrong with that.

But for me, competing against my child on a simulated racetrack while discussing our strategies and sharing lots of laughs in the process is quality time.

As for adults, many of my own peers and colleagues like to chalk up “grown-up gaming� as simply a means of reliving childhood or a way to enjoy a delayed adolescence. Tell that to my mother who, at age 53, is a proud gamer and Playstation owner.

The truth is some of us like to blow off steam by playing a few rounds of golf; others revel in an afternoon of shopping at the mall. And for gamers like me, nothing beats a few hours of exquisite graphics, a compelling storyline and solid gameplay.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some leveling up to do.

Laura Gulledge, M.Ed.
Mother, wife, gamer

Article Source : http://www.womengamers.com

[Chunker]

/cheer! she hit it right on the nose. Balance is key. I've heard too many stories and BS like "these two people commited suicide because of music" or "these people did this horrible thing because of games" blah blah blah blah...it's all a escape goat and it has always pissed me off. props to laura! =)

[Kalazor]

Finally... nice one Laura Gulledge - i salute you!

[R2D2]

She could be my mother or wife anytime ;)

[Frogbunns]

Hello?

/Frog agrees

Frog thinks Frog knows Akasha from "The Powder Room" Board

Frog asks is this true?

thank you

[boscolio]

Akasha, wow.TenTonHammer.com posted about this article on the frontpage with a link back here. just thought you'd like to know. ;)

btw, pre-order giveaway contest is still continuing. head on over to find out what the rules are this week.

[boscolio]

um...Akasha? it seems my mod permissions are broken in this forum. it doesn't recognize editting, html/bbl code or anything.

i've gone old school and i don't like it. :(

------------

...and it's fixed, so nevermind this post...

[farslayer77]

Originally Posted by boscolio

um...Akasha? it seems my mod permissions are broken in this forum. it doesn't recognize editting, html/bbl code or anything.

i've gone old school and i don't like it. :(

Hands Bosc a stick. Start /beating the bushes to keep the frogs quiet so the nobility can get a good nights sleep P.

really Bosc its not that bad I do it all the time P

[Frogbunns]

Originally Posted by farslayer77

Hands Bosc a stick. Start /beating the bushes to keep the frogs quiet so the nobility can get a good nights sleep P.

really Bosc its not that bad I do it all the time P

Hello?

Frog says Frog Bigot!

thank you

[boscolio]

bah! don't stick me in the middle of this. it's not like i can do anything about it here right now.

<--powerless. :(