Gaming with my oldest - actually connecting?

Nov 21·1 min read

So I've been really cynical about video games as a waste of time, but my 13yo has been playing Minecraft and actually started coding mods for it through this YouTube channel. Now we play together sometimes and honestly? It's the best conversations we've had in months. He explains his builds, shows me the code logic, and last week we built this insane castle together. Never thought I'd be here saying this but... gaming might not be the enemy I thought it was. Anyone else have this experience?

7 comments34 views

Comments(7)

SSam Y.Regular1d ago

This is the way. My kid got into Roblox studio and suddenly he's learning actual programming concepts. I was skeptical too but now I'm the one asking him questions about how stuff works.

AAl G.Regular1d ago

Wait which YouTube channel for the modding? My son keeps asking me about Minecraft mods and I have no idea what he's talking about. Might be worth checking out if it's teaching him actual coding skills.

PPat H.New Dad1d ago

Nailed it.

FFrank D.Regular1d ago

lol same here

RRyan G.Regular1d ago

The castle thing gets me. My 11yo and I spent like 3 hours building a farm and honestly it was therapeutic. We talked about everything - school stress, his friends, even some deeper stuff. Gaming wasn't the barrier, it was the bridge.

EEd P.Regular1d ago

This is great and all but be careful not to expect every gaming session to be this educational. Sometimes my kid just wants to zone out and play, and that's valid too. The conversations are the bonus, not the main event.

DDanny R.Regular1d ago

The coding thing is legit though. My daughter started with Minecraft command blocks at 12 and now she's 16 taking actual computer science classes because of it. Games can be gateways if you let them.