Some families have movie nights. Others have board game nights. In our house? Gaming is just part of who we are. It’s how we bond, how we have fun, and occasionally how we figure out which one of us has the biggest ego (spoiler: it’s always one of the kids).
Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But these are products we use or would totally geek out over.
The Earliest Gaming Memories
Before I ever introduced gaming to our little minions, I was that kid, sitting on the floor with my siblings, cousins, dad, and uncles huddled around a PlayStation.
I can still see it now:
- Snow days
- Crash Bandicoot
- SSX Tricky
- Bug’s Life: The Video Game
- And that one old-school Mac game my dad had. MDK
We weren’t just playing; we were creating core memories.
Fast forward a few decades, and now I get to do the same thing with my own family.
Those old-school gaming days inspired me to recreate the magic with Playstation Classic and now with a PS5 for the whole family.
The First Game We Ever Played Together
All three of my kids learned how to play video games on Astro Bot. It was their intro to gaming, and honestly, the perfect way for them to figure out how to hold a controller without just button-mashing into the void.
I’ve seen how much they learn to problem-solve and think differently. It goes along with What Watching the Kids Play Soccer Teaches Me About Leadership.
Astro Bot was the perfect way to introduce gaming. Grab it here for an easy, fun start.
The Game That Gets Everyone Involved
Right now, it’s all about Fortnite Zero Builds. Nobody cares about Lego Fortnite (except me, but we’ll get to that). The kids are all in on trying to secure that dub. It’s wild to think about how Fortnite has evolved, but here we are, squadding up as a family, calling out enemies like we’re a competitive esports team.
Family Fortnite nights are our thing. Level up with V-Bucks or my headset to hear every callout.
The Only One With a Role? Me.
Look, I don’t know what kind of high-level strategy the kids and Katie are running in Fortnite, but let’s just say “team coordination” is a strong word. As for Lego Fortnite, they couldn’t care less. I, however, have somehow been assigned one single role in this family’s gaming universe: the builder of the village.
- Need unlimited ammo? Me.
- Need food and shakes? Me.
- Need cows, chickens, farms, cars? Me.
It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m definitely not bitter.
My role as ‘village builder’ in Lego Fortnite requires comfort. This Gaming Chair and Charging Dock are lifesavers.
The Rules of Gaming in Our House
Gaming is fun, but it’s not a free-for-all. We have a few non-negotiables:
- No raging. If you’re getting mad, you’re not playing. Period. If someone starts acting out, we step back and figure out what’s really going on. This has been huge in teaching the kids self-regulation and handling frustration in healthier ways.
- Games come after responsibilities. Before anyone picks up a controller, chores, homework, and everything else need to be done. This helps Katie and I keep the house from turning into a disaster zone, but it also teaches the kids discipline and teamwork. They’ve learned that if they help each other, they all get to play sooner.
- Be nice to yourself. One of the biggest things we focus on is making sure the kids aren’t too hard on themselves. Mistakes happen, losses happen, but how you handle them is what matters. If we can teach them that through gaming, then we’re doing something right.
We’ve started to figure out how to make it work. It’s just about balance. Check out my post on Balancing Gaming, Business, & Family.
How Gaming Brings Us Closer
Our game room isn’t huge, but it doesn’t need to be. It gets loud in here, the kids scream when something crazy happens, Beckham (our dog) wanders in and out trying to figure out why we’re all yelling, and it’s honestly some of the best moments we have together. It honestly helps me Avoid Burnout While Building A Brand.
Beyond the fun, gaming has given us so many teachable moments. Whether it’s handling frustration, learning to work together, or even just talking about what’s going on in their heads, gaming gives us opportunities to connect in ways that go beyond just playing.
At the end of the day, gaming is more than just a hobby in our house; it’s a tradition. And one I hope we keep alive for years to come.
Our game room may be small, but it’s filled with love (and this neon sign that sets the vibe).
If you’re trying to figure out how to bring structure to the chaos, whether it’s your time, your goals, or your gaming habits… Grab the Reset & Rewire Roadmap free!