to think video games aren't just for teenage boys?

[KassandraOfSparta]

Why does playing video games have such a poor image/reputation?

Numerous threads on here with posters confidently proclaiming that they wouldn't let their children play games, would never date anyone who plays games, would never dream of gaming themselves.

Why is gaming any less "worthy" than sitting watching sport all evening, or soap operas, or painting watercolours or doing jigsaws? Just another form of entertainment, isn't it?

And before anyone pops up saying it's so addictive, well of course anything taken to excess is a problem, whether you're staying up all night with your crochet, jigsaws or tv boxset.

FOR THE ALLIANCE!

Oh yeah!!

One of the best things we did in lockdown as a family was to spend a day playing all of the tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch, hooked up to a projector, with breaks for pizza. It's a perfect family game!
(We play a lot of boardgames, too, but that's a different thread.)

It really depends on the game/person - games are so incredibly varied (far more so than other media).

I have one game that I play for 30-60 minutes about 4 or 5 times per week. DP and I also go through phases of playing Stardew Valley together and occasionally that turns into a several-hours session, but that’s the exception, not the rule.

The majority of gamers are not spending hours per day gaming (not that doing so is inherently bad). It’s just that you aren’t going to get Mumsnet threads with an OP who is angry because their partner games for 30 mins here or there.

I'm 50 and have always been a gamer. Nowt wrong with that.

I agree with the OP.

My DD2 is a bit of a gamer. I also think she might have adhd but gaming is the only thing she can sit and do for ages. Anything else and she’s bored quickly. She plays herself and with friends online. She’s also summer born and top of her class in primary school. She socialises well and gets plenty fresh air despite preferring to be on her screen

I have a console but can take it or leave it. I do however watch a lot of tv - soaps and box sets mainly.

DD2 is autistic, she has a console but doesn’t play. She manages about 10 minutes and gets bored. She loves watching tv series though. Some over and over and also some films. She can become quite obsessive with some but that’s a trait she has. She’s also summer born and mid-top ability. Her language is amazing and her knowledge of bizzare information is also amazing. She often watches things set in historical times or based around real historical people.

what I have found hard though is an ex DH who also enjoys gaming and who would play a game on an evening and say he would follow me up to bed and I’d wake up at 4am and find him still playing. That level of addiction isn’t good.

I do find I have to manage the children though and make sure we get out. The gamer dd will sometimes just head out to meet her friend if they’re both free though. My autistic dd finds socialising hard though so does have to scheduled to do other activities out of the house otherwise she will revert to her tv. I don’t do screen time limits though like some families - 1 hour a day and things like that. I pick my battles. I pre plan the non screen time. After school they can head to their screens if we don’t have activities and their homework is done. Bed time is at a certain time and I do remove screens from bedrooms - although been more relaxed this summer. To be honest once I’m in from work, fed the kids, sorted showers and homework etc then I veg in front of the tv til bed too.

My husband and I are 40 and have been gamers since kids. Our kids now also play and we see it as our hobby. We do connect as a family through it and have a huge amount of fun.
I think it is with anything, you can get out of balance and it could tip into addiction, but it is important to have awareness and set limits, and we also do other things such as sport, reading and jigsaw puzzles!
But gaming is a large part of our lives, and we couldn't see ourselves not playing. I find it keeps my mind active, (here's looking at you BOTW!!).
I do find that we are probably in the minority in our family circle and friends, we get the comments and lack of understanding about gaming though.

I'm not far behind you in age and I LOVE me some RDR.

I don't really play anything else, but I love just riding around the country, hunting & fishing etc, stirring up some trouble and murdering the KKK.

More so now my horse is broken & I can't do it at the moment. Riding that is, not murdering 😂

I wonder if the people who don't understand the fun of video games play board games. Our family love board games. Even if we just go out for a coffee and cake we will often bring a board game with us.

But board games are on the approved MN list of wholesome hobbies.

it’s just those nasty video games for simpletons that are a problem.

DH and I (40 and 35 respectively) are avid gamers, our 2 DC (7 and 5) also love to play! It's our family 'thing'. But I too, feel embarrassed or ashamed if I tell someone. It makes me feel like a child! Any Destiny 2 Mumsnetters here??

I'm guessing that's only until they actually start becoming interesting boardgames, when they are suddenly geeky and ridiculous!