Gaming with my kids is actually bonding time??

Dec 51 min read

I was anti-gaming for like years until my 11yo asked if we could play Minecraft together. I was skeptical but we built this whole creative world and now it's genuinely one of our favorite things to do. Like we actually talk while playing - about school, friends, random stuff. It's less screen time obsession and more "me and my son doing something together."

I'm not saying gaming is the answer but like... maybe the enemy isn't the game, it's the isolation of gaming alone? Just a thought.

10 comments368 views

Comments(10)

TTony F.RegularDec 5

lol same, my 9yo got me into Fortnite and I was convinced it was rotting his brain. Turns out he's teaching me about strategy and teamwork. Now we have this inside joke about my terrible aim. Best parenting pivot I've made

GGreg H.RegularDec 6

how much time are you guys spending in your world? asking because i'm trying to figure out if this becomes an all-day thing or if it stays manageable

MMarvin T.RegularDec 6

This is awesome. I was the same way - thought gaming was just mindless zombie stuff. But watching my kid actually THINK through problems in Minecraft and explain their building logic to me? That's legit learning happening. Plus they actually WANT to spend time with you which at 11 is like winning the lottery

CChris F.RegularDec 6

the creative mode aspect sounds perfect for actually bonding vs just sitting there. did you set any boundaries around it or just let it be open ended?

DDrew H.RegularDec 7

This genuinely made me reconsider my stance. I've been pretty restrictive about screen time but seeing it as an actual activity you do TOGETHER instead of just letting them zone out changes things

KKeith L.RegularDec 7

Dude building a whole creative world together sounds incredible. That's actual quality time where you're both invested in the same goal. Way better than sitting in the same room scrolling phones separately

CCharlie A.New DadDec 7

This gives me hope. My 10yo has been gaming for a couple years now and I've mostly just worried about it. Never thought about actually joining in. Did you find it hard to catch up on the mechanics or was it pretty intuitive?

MMarcus J.RegularDec 7

This is awesome. I was the same way until my 9yo wanted to play Fortnite with me. I thought it would be mindless but we actually talk about strategy and he explains stuff to me. Never thought I'd be asking my kid for gaming tips lol

NNate H.RegularDec 6

Yo same energy as when I finally played 2K with my 12yo. We built a whole storyline for his player character and now it's our thing on weeknights. The gaming wasn't the point, turns out it was just an excuse to hang out

DDustin P.New DadDec 8

How long have you two been playing together now? I'm curious if this stays fun or if it gets old. My daughter's been asking me to join her world for months but I keep procrastinating because I'm worried I'll be the uncool dad who doesn't get it