Video Games Made Our Family Better
2013
When we first started unschooling I asked Austin what was the one thing he wished I would relax most about. He answered, "Playing video games." I figured it was as good a place to start as any, especially since I had so much fear tied about them. I quit saying no when he asked to play and I quit telling him he needed to stop when my anxiety got high about how long he was playing a game.
I did a lot of reading about the benefits of playing video games. With the new information I had- which was based on logic, science and research instead of fear- I became committed to not restricting Austin's video game play. I began to see, not just the learning that was happening, but the happiness he now exuded while playing his favorite video game. I began to enjoy the intensity he had for them. He was not only playing video games, but researching them by looking up information about video games on the Internet, watching You Tube game walk-throughs and reviews, and reading player's guides and magazines. I no longer saw his intensity for enjoying video games as proof of addiction. Instead I saw an intense passion for game play.
While I was learning all I could about the benefits of video games I wanted to stay connected with him. To do this without interrupting his progress I would sit near him with my reading materials, ready to put it down when he would say, "Mom! Watch this!". I slowly became a really good cheerleader for him while he played. I was becoming just as enthusiastic as he was about video games and it was really opening doors in our relationship and his ability to engage in his games fully, which led to more learning.
When we first started unschooling I asked Austin what was the one thing he wished I would relax most about. He answered, "Playing video games." I figured it was as good a place to start as any, especially since I had so much fear tied about them. I quit saying no when he asked to play and I quit telling him he needed to stop when my anxiety got high about how long he was playing a game.
I did a lot of reading about the benefits of playing video games. With the new information I had- which was based on logic, science and research instead of fear- I became committed to not restricting Austin's video game play. I began to see, not just the learning that was happening, but the happiness he now exuded while playing his favorite video game. I began to enjoy the intensity he had for them. He was not only playing video games, but researching them by looking up information about video games on the Internet, watching You Tube game walk-throughs and reviews, and reading player's guides and magazines. I no longer saw his intensity for enjoying video games as proof of addiction. Instead I saw an intense passion for game play.
While I was learning all I could about the benefits of video games I wanted to stay connected with him. To do this without interrupting his progress I would sit near him with my reading materials, ready to put it down when he would say, "Mom! Watch this!". I slowly became a really good cheerleader for him while he played. I was becoming just as enthusiastic as he was about video games and it was really opening doors in our relationship and his ability to engage in his games fully, which led to more learning.
What once divided my family and caused friction has now brought us closer together. There is connection togetherness, passion and joy. There is story telling and deep, existential conversation about life. We've talked deeply and passionately about sexism, racism, morality and empathy for others and ourselves because a video game offered the opportunity through one of their stories.
Comments
Post a Comment