Before I had kids, gaming was simple.
I played what I wanted, when I wanted, for as long as I wanted.
If I wanted to spend an entire Saturday chasing a camo grind in Call of Duty or exploring some massive RPG world, nobody cared.
Then I became a parent.
And suddenly, gaming looked completely different.
Not because I stopped loving games.
Because I started seeing them through a different lens.
Now I’m not just thinking about what I’m playing.
I’m thinking about what my kids are playing.
Who they’re playing with.
What they’re learning.
And whether gaming is helping them grow or just taking up space in their day.
Gaming is still a huge part of my life. It’s a huge part of what I’m building with ChannlerG. But becoming a parent changed my relationship with gaming in ways I never expected.
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Gaming Isn’t the Enemy
One thing I’ve never understood is the idea that video games are automatically bad for kids.
Gaming is a hobby.
Just like sports.
Just like books.
Just like movies.
Just like playing an instrument.
Can any of those things become unhealthy if they take over your life?
Absolutely.
But that doesn’t make them bad.
The goal isn’t to eliminate gaming.
The goal is to make sure it’s part of a balanced life.
That’s the approach we’ve always tried to take in our house.
Hint Hint: Balance is a Myth (But Here’s What Helps)
The Questions I Ask Now
Years ago, I cared about completely different things.
Graphics.
Performance.
Ranking up.
Unlocking rewards.
Now?
The questions sound more like this:
- What game are they playing?
- Who are they playing with?
- Is this age-appropriate?
- Are they having fun?
- Are they learning anything from it?
- Are they still doing other things too?
It’s not about controlling every second.
It’s about staying involved.
Because parenting gets a lot easier when you understand what your kids are interested in instead of automatically fighting against it.
They’re probably interested in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Gaming Became a Family Activity
This is probably the biggest change.
Gaming isn’t something I do by myself anymore.
It’s something we do together.
We’ve spent time playing:
- Astro Bot
- LEGO games
- Fortnite
- Mario Kart
- Nintendo Switch games
- Random games the kids become obsessed with for two weeks
Some of my favorite gaming memories now aren’t from winning.
They’re from watching one of my kids figure something out for the first time.
Or hearing them lose their minds because they finally beat a level they’d been struggling with.
Those moments matter more than any achievement I’ve unlocked.
Family is Why I’m Chasing Freedom (Even When it Feels Risky)
What Gaming Has Taught My Kids
People love talking about what gaming does wrong.
I don’t think we talk enough about what it does right.
Here are some of the things I’ve seen firsthand.
1. Confidence
My oldest approaches life with an unbelievable amount of confidence.
Sometimes it’s hilarious.
Sometimes it’s terrifying.
But gaming gives her a place to try new things, fail, and keep going without worrying about looking silly.
Honestly, there are days I wish I had half that confidence.
2. Competition
My middle child wants to win.
At everything.
Sports.
Games.
Board games.
Probably breathing.
Gaming gives him an outlet for that competitive drive while also teaching him something important:
You don’t always win.
And learning how to lose well is a skill a lot of adults still haven’t figured out.
Someday he’ll learn Why I Keep Showing Up (Even When Growth Seems Slow)
3. Creativity
My youngest approaches life like there are no rules.
One minute he’s building something.
The next he’s a dinosaur.
Then he’s a superhero.
Then he’s asking where the snacks are.
Games like Minecraft, LEGO games, and creative sandbox worlds fit perfectly with how his brain already works.
4. Problem Solving
One thing I’ve learned is that kids are incredibly good at figuring things out when we give them the chance.
Sometimes they don’t need help.
Sometimes they just need time.
Watching them solve problems in games reminds me how capable they really are.
The Rules We Follow
We don’t have a giant list of gaming rules.
We try to keep it simple.
1. Responsibilities Come First
School.
Family.
Chores.
The important stuff gets handled before gaming.
2. We Know What They’re Playing
Not because we’re spying.
Because we’re involved.
If gaming is part of their life, I want to understand it.
3. Gaming Should Stay Fun
The second gaming becomes the only thing happening in life, it’s time to step back and recalibrate.
Balance matters.
Not perfection.
Balance.
The Gear That Helps
If you’re gaming with your kids, these are the products we’ve actually enjoyed using:
Playstation 5 Digital Edition
Probably the easiest family gaming system to recommend.
Extra DualSense Wireless Controller
Trust me.
Eventually everyone wants to play.
HyperX Cloud 3 Wireless
Great audio without having wires stretched across the room.
Final Thoughts
I don’t want my kids to avoid gaming.
I want them to enjoy it responsibly.
The same way I hope they approach sports.
Friendships.
Hobbies.
Work someday.
Gaming has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Now it’s become a small part of theirs too.
Watching them discover the same hobby that brought me so much joy has been one of the coolest parts of being a parent.
Not because they’re becoming gamers.
Because they’re becoming themselves.
Gaming is just one of the places where I get to watch it happen.