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Fathers who play MMO's, I need your help
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A little harsh perhaps, but you do make some good points. I've been thinking about this myself recently. I have two kids, though still very young. Obviously you find yourself considering their future, and your future relationships with your children. I enjoy MMORPGs in spells, and could certainly see some genuine bonding opportunities for playing such games with your children, but, as is always the case, and the problem, its all about creating that balance. And thats something thats hard to do with MMORPGs. They're just so addictive. Look at the people on this site, they go from game to game to game. Do you want your kids following that pattern. Certainly not. It does worry me, but then the way society seems to be headed, in the West atleast, the kids just arent getting out like they used to. Parks are deserted. Schools are mostly bullies' paradises. If youre not careful youll end up with one seriously introverted, asocial child. Then again, different cultures have different ways of developing parent-child relationships. I hear its very common in Germany to regularly play boardgames etc, and mmorpgs are an extension of this.
Personally I'm planning on playing it by ear. I'm assuming my kids will get into games eventually. I'd certainly like to get back into playing MMORPGS again soon (ive had a year off)...so I'll consider playing with them if they want...and thats a big IF. It's all about maintaining that balance, and getting the hell out of the house as often as possible. I see MMORPGs as not being a problem IF you lay down good foundations during the child's younger years - i.e an active outdoors life for example, or regular family trips. If a child feels it has outlets and has interests outside his or her immediate circle (friends in school and family) then MMORPGs will just be another feather in the cap of a full and enjoyable life. If it BECOMES your life thats when the problems start. And MMORPGS are gonna get bigger and more significant in time I feel. Just imagine where we'll be in 20 years time.
Anyway, just my 2 "pence" worth. Like I said it is something that gives me pause from time to time. What's everyone elses thoughts...
Children > Gaming always
And combining the two is pretty impossible or unhealthy. Does a grown up really want to play "Hello Kitty online" or "Neopets" with their young kids? Would you enjoy a childish game or find it boring?
Do you want your children to play WoW with you with all that porn and ghetto talk? Do you want them seeing sexual situations and nudity in AoC? Do you want them to be addicted to gaming and choose gaming over RL....as you do?
Prioritize. Kids come first- above everything. Give them quality time and when they go to bed- it's your fun time. Just love them more than you love yourself and it all falls into place the right way.
Gamer Parent since 2003
Staggering amount of judgemental folks in this thread..
Sav, if you can make it work and have a loving family, then you go right ahead matey. I'm not a parent, and don't ever plan on being one quite simply because I value my own personal time more than I would a child's; and of course that's not the right attitude to have. So, I gots nothing but respect for anyone who can make all this family stuff work and still have their own fun.
Keep on at it!
Locked: Can you create an army of the undead by raising old threads?