Articles · Humor/ Editorial · Game Mastering
Everything I Learned About Raising Children I Learned From Gaming
When my first born came into the world, my gaming life skidded to a halt. However, in a strange way, my gaming life continued.
Everything I learned about raising children I learned from Gaming
I learned it is a good idea to be involved in character development, otherwise you will never know what will happen.
I learned the importance of cleaning up and preparing the area for play.
I learned the importance of a well stocked gaming bag (which these days is filled with diapers, bottles, toys, formula).
I also learned that no matter what you have packed in your bag, you will always be missing something important. So don't stress over it.
I learned how to operate on little to no sleep. (thank you game cons)
I learned that you never have to leave the house except for an occasional food/ muchie run.
I learned that knowing the rules is less important than knowing the players... (But he is not suppose to be able to do that for a couple months yet!!!)
I learned that keeping all the players happy is job one.
I learned to plan for multiple contingencies and options.
I learned if you plan, it will never go that way. Be prepared to improvise.
I learned you should never leave players alone for too long. Heaven only knows what kind of trouble they will think up.
I learned that you can't plan when those magik moments will occur. You know, the ones that you will be telling stories about for years to come.
I learned that dice and miniatures just cause problems except in expert hands.
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Gaming teaches you to deal with whining, self centered idiots in a constructive way without just reaching out and striking them. So when your kid is too involved in his spontaneous after school game of tag to walk home (that was this morning), you don't just reach for the belt (and believe me, it was tempting, this isn't the first time we've been home wondering if someone has kidnapped and eaten our kid) instead you give him more chores (like throwing the party off the trail) and make him write down 'I will come right home' a hundred times before he can play his new video games (like putting the twisting, mazelike dungeon in front of the treasure)
Every game can teach a lesson, it's just on how you want to learn it that's up to you.
Gamers are often childish... if not infantile. An opinion frequently held by Game Masters who have to deal with this behavior.
If you just said, 'No we're not.' in that whiny or indignent tone, you just proved my point... as you just responded like a child. Gamers frequently whine for experience points like children whine for candy in the supermarket aisles. Instead to dealing with it maturely, they wail about how things were unfair in the game... Though you may not agree with the specific, you might see my point.
Quote from: 'MoonHunter'
Gamers are often childish... if not infantile. An opinion frequently held by Game Masters who have to deal with this behavior.
If you just said, 'No we're not.' in that whiny or indignent tone, you just proved my point... as you just responded like a child.
No, we're certainly not. ;)
Oh My God!!!
*Falls Over*
That's so true! With my 2 month old I have the same experience! That's the funniest thing I've heard all week.
Kara
I have to agree. I never thought about it until I read this but it is a perfect example of my life with my new daughter. I should have my wife read this, then maybe should would understand gaming more.
Cute Moon. My wife just read this, and kept nodding throughout :D
Many of my gamer friends that they are not ready or they don't know how to be a parent. My response is either, 'Neither were your parents' or I point them at this article.
Remembering some of my players long ago, I most definately agree. Some of them were the most self-centered people I know.
'I learned that you can't plan when those magik moments will occur. You know, the ones that you will be telling stories about for years to come'
This is the best lesson!
Good sub Moon!
Bumped for Muro and those who have children.
Neat. Having two kids myself I'm nodding continually while reading;)
Its one of the reasons I game with my kids. Sometimes the crossover from the game situation to their unkept bedroom and chores ..is not very gray :)
Yes, indeed. I'd also like to add that "no matter how much you plan the player's adventure, it rarely turns out exactly the way you thought it would... and that's just fine."
A fun read; and while I don't have kids myself, (stupid laws against lesbians adopting bah!) I babysit the neighbors kids often enough to be nodding in agreement throughout the entire article.
Best of all, now when someone complains to me rping is a waste of time and has no practical use whatsoever I can just smile and point them to this thread. :)
This is the good stuff. The Ultimate Primer. All you need to know.
Short and sweet.
I can't really say anything that hasn't already been said.
it made me chuckle :)