When I was kid my Aunt Rebecca had SNES that I used to play every weekend when me and my siblings would go visit. My first video game memories are of super mario brothers 3 and my uncle showing off by showing us all the secrets. As I got older I actually moved away from video games as I begun to get into relationships, do drugs, and fuck up my life. It wasn't until I was 21 that I looked at myself in a mirror and changed myself for the better. I got back into video games at the age of 24 after a 10 year break. I love it. I met my wife in 2016 when I was 25. Kristi who has CP. She can use her body from the waist down and her hands don't work %100. She has tried playing video games with me but it is very hard for her to do so since most video games now a days take a lot of fine motor skills.
That is when I bought a Switch. My wife loved it. For the Switch has a lot of games that don't take a lot of fine motor skills. She can easily play Stardew valley, Mario, DK, and she is excited for Legend of The Zelda, Dragon Quest 11, and Fire Emblem later this year. For these games, more or less, let her play at her own pace. She can take her time without have to worry about a million things happening at once or without using two analog sticks.
We had a daughter, Nova, on 6/20/2018 and she is days away from turning 1. She loves watching me play video games. She may not watch a movie but she will sit on my laptop and watch me play Mario forever. She claps when we get to the flag and the music plays and gets upset when we die and we end up on the overworld. Though I think that is more because the music stops for a time. As the months go on I can't help but get excited as the day draws near that I can play video games with my daughter.
So after all this here is my question. What age did you guys allow your kids to play video games? How young is to young? At what age am I just a bad parent for letting her play Mario on her own? I know she won't be able to do it when she turns 1 but I am curious what the answer is.
Video games bring me such joy in life. Its a destresster and at times can be a vehicle for some of the best stories ever told. I want her to experience that joy as well.
Thank you for the time.
Currently playing: Outer Worlds (Xbox One X)
Currently Reading: Skaven Slayer (Gotrek and Felix Book 2)
Currently Writing: Champions of Legend Book 1 (3rd Draft)
Currently Watching: Oz (Season 4), Soprano's (Season 1)
Comments
Honestly, it sounds like video games are a positive part of your relationship with her, so it'll be something you can do together for years to come. Eventually, you'll become the one watching her play and clapping when she gets the "flag" in whatever games she comes to enjoy.
-mklinic
"There's a point I think we're missing.
It's in the air we raise our fists in."
-from Behind Closed Doors by Rise Against
What age did you guys allow your kids to play video games?
When they wanted to play them, subject to disallowing violent games when they were still little and ones with player to player interaction that could be problematic.
How young is to young?
I think that depends on game content. Mario Cart is really age appropriate to any age. Doom, not so much. And I would not want my kids chatting with other players who may be pervs. They need to be at an age to know to get away from those people.
At what age am I just a bad parent for letting her play Mario on her own?
I don't think Mario Cart is ever off the table.
EQ1, EQ2, SWG, SWTOR, GW, GW2 CoH, CoV, FFXI, WoW, CO, War,TSW and a slew of free trials and beta tests
Currently Reading: Skaven Slayer (Gotrek and Felix Book 2)
Currently Writing: Champions of Legend Book 1 (3rd Draft)
Currently Watching: Oz (Season 4), Soprano's (Season 1)
Once the social skills are built in, it doesn't matter if they then take some alone time when they are a bit older because it's become a choice instead of a lifestyle. You'll find that kids will prefer playing with others anyway as long as they know it's a familiar option.
I did monitor his game time it was 90 minutes max during the weekend. Monitor them and make sure you watch who's talking to them.
I played Pong in the early/mid 70's. but my mother only let us have "so much screen time." Thereafter we had chores to do and we had to do other things.
Those other things were practicing (I started at 6) playing outside, reading, etc.
I have a friend of mine whose niece was raised on Video games, no real limits and it has caused issues.
But that goes with any sort of "screen time" activity including TV/Movies.
***Yes, i'm a pushover***
We do limit his screen time and I wouldn't allow him to play video games by himself. I would only allow him to play video games with me. So when he gets old enough and I can do a video game with him that we both like, is when we will play together. My goal is to have him play video games only with me as a sort of bonding experience. Sort of like, when we built the batmobile lego set together.
I wouldn't let him talk to people for sure, every time a 10-13 year old gets online and i'm talking to them about strategy, i feel bad about myself.
Like the other day some 13 yo in SC 2 who is way better than me was helping me out and i'm like, god, i'm a 38 yo healthcare professional being taught something by a 13 yo lol. But whatever.
I'd prefer my kid play more puzzle and creative games than straightforward games. At least have him learn some skills you know.
You can see my sci-fi/WW2 book recommendations.
Currently Reading: Skaven Slayer (Gotrek and Felix Book 2)
Currently Writing: Champions of Legend Book 1 (3rd Draft)
Currently Watching: Oz (Season 4), Soprano's (Season 1)
Once we were done with chores (always the friggin' chores) and practicing, we could read or go outside or do anything OTHER than sitting in front of a screen.
My girlfriend's parents allowed her limited screen time per week with the exception of some sort of "holiday special" or some sort of thing.
And quite frankly that's how I would do it to. I think I would allow an hour per day of screen time at a young age, maybe add an additional 30 minutes, and then do something else.
But you know how you really impress upon them that doing something else is good? Do it with them.
They get their video game time and then you say "ok woogums, we are now going for a walk in the woods." "Ok Woogums, now we are going to the park." "Ok Woogums, this is family boardgame time."
etc.
One thing my mother used to do with me at 4 was to play a game with me and have me spell things or count or do simple arithmetic before going to bed. I was young so little did I know I was learning!
There were better games in the arcade. But those cost money. So it wasn't my mom shutting me down. It was a lack of more quarters.
EQ1, EQ2, SWG, SWTOR, GW, GW2 CoH, CoV, FFXI, WoW, CO, War,TSW and a slew of free trials and beta tests
/Cheers,
Lahnmir
Kyleran on yours sincerely
'But there are many. You can play them entirely solo, and even offline. Also, you are wrong by default.'
Ikcin in response to yours sincerely debating whether or not single-player offline MMOs exist...
'This does not apply just to ED but SC or any other game. What they will get is Rebirth/X4, likely prettier but equally underwhelming and pointless.
It is incredibly difficult to design some meaningfull leg content that would fit a space ship game - simply because it is not a leg game.
It is just huge resource waste....'
Gdemami absolutely not being an armchair developer
My daughter OTOH has never had any interest in computer games although she enjoys board games. She doesn't even like to read ebooks - she reads a lot but it's all analog with her. She's finishing her degree in Social Work and is heavily involved in politics. My son can't give less of a crap about politics.
He's also very deliberate and gives just about anything he does a lot of thought before he does it. My daughter tends to be more spontaneous and is a bit of daredevil.
Kids are different and like different things. Upbringing is only a part of the story and IMO, not even the bigger part. They all seem to come pre-wired to lean one way or the other in almost everything.
Watching them grow and become their own individual person is fascinating.
― CD PROJEKT RED
"... the "influencers" which is the tech name we call sell outs now..."
__ Wizardry, 2020
One of the very first video games I remember playing in depth was Crystal Quest, around age 6.
"The simple is the seal of the true and beauty is the splendor of truth" -Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar
Authored 139 missions in Vendetta Online and 6 tracks in Distance
The big difference between "babysitter" and "good parenting" is: Playing Alone or Together. Almost anything you do with your children is good parenting, except breaking laws and such
Also remember, there are video games of all kinds. Some are made specifically for teaching children.
Going online is another matter. That is another "play it by ear" thing. Unlike many people who think they know what's best for your child(ren), only you can gauge them best
Unfortunately, children don't come with a nice, neat manual. All parents have to muddle through as best as they can
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
EQ1, EQ2, SWG, SWTOR, GW, GW2 CoH, CoV, FFXI, WoW, CO, War,TSW and a slew of free trials and beta tests
- Al
Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.- FARGIN_WAR
Like others have said though, content/age appropriate, lego games were good, Minecraft, roblox was good for my son but still have to watch which games are played. We also teach my son that if someone is trying to talk to him to let us know(if we aren't with him already).
I still feel there is a huge avenue of untouched potential with games and learning.
Hello Kitty was a favorite of my youngest daughter, I didnt enjoy the game, but I enjoyed the time we spent together discussing/playing the game.
Some of her fondest memories are from gaming. She always talks about "Remember the time....." Like ganking allies in timeless isle hehe. Like someone said, unless it illegal, tear the freakin walls down to find things to share with your children, skys the limit!
I would let her game on the Switch though. I am really looking forward to playing Animal Crossing with her in March
Currently Reading: Skaven Slayer (Gotrek and Felix Book 2)
Currently Writing: Champions of Legend Book 1 (3rd Draft)
Currently Watching: Oz (Season 4), Soprano's (Season 1)
My personal opinion is if you are doing it together then it is a good thing. Sports, online games, RL games, whatever, we work together and play together and I think that is more important than anything.
If you want a new idea, go read an old book.
/Cheers,
Lahnmir
Kyleran on yours sincerely
'But there are many. You can play them entirely solo, and even offline. Also, you are wrong by default.'
Ikcin in response to yours sincerely debating whether or not single-player offline MMOs exist...
'This does not apply just to ED but SC or any other game. What they will get is Rebirth/X4, likely prettier but equally underwhelming and pointless.
It is incredibly difficult to design some meaningfull leg content that would fit a space ship game - simply because it is not a leg game.
It is just huge resource waste....'
Gdemami absolutely not being an armchair developer