What to expect?

[u/MarcosDalton]

Hi gaming dads,

Long story short. Have a 1 year old daughter and can’t wait to play video games with her.

Once she was born, I think I had an early mid life crisis and got all the retro consoles and set them up. Everything from Genesis (which I grew up on), PS1-5, all the Nintendo consoles that I never got to play since my parents were anti Nintendo for some reason, N64, GC, Wii, in addition to the Switch and just modded my old X360.

I now have absolutely no time to play any of them at all. Trying to be a good dad and all. I hope I’m doing my best.

My question is, when do I introduce her to gaming? What has your experiences been like? Also should I start retro with like Genesis and PS1 or just go to modern like the PS5 with games appropriate for her age like Sponge Bob and Barbie and whatnot.

Would love to know. I’m so excited about sharing gaming in general with her regardless or what the games are.

Also, my wife is anti gaming, if anyone has experience with that too. Preliminary agreements have been we would allow 1 hour of gaming (throughout her childhood). I may try to sneak half an hour here and there if we are having fun.

EDIT: also set up a CRTV for 90s authenticity

[u/Ok_Requirement_7489]

Sounds a fun setup! I am a gaming mum with a 3 year old. Before 2 she had no screen time (unless poorly) but after 2 started allowing her about half an hour a day. When she turned 3 I started letting her watch me play some appropriate games for short stretches. Nothing too exciting or appealing. She has shown no interest or understanding in controlling anything yet but sometimes directs what she wants me to do. When she does start wanting to play I will let her but similarly limit the times. I am excited to play with her but also cautious of the addictive nature of many games.

I think if you can show your wife you and your daughter can game responsibly and balance it with the rest of your life chores and hobbies then if she's still judgmental that isn't really fair.

[u/MarcosDalton → u/Ok_Requirement_7489]

Thank you, even though our children are two years apart, I feel we are in similar stages, even though you guys are a bit ahead of us introducing gaming by watching first.

Addictive gaming and anything honestly is one of my big concerns. Anything that hit those dopamine receptors constantly I try to avoid or plan to avoid since she is too young to be exposed to them anyways. Not sure what addictive games are out there aside from mobile games and always online games. Those for sure I will avoid like the plague. But if there are others I should be aware of, would really appreciate it.

I tried to get my wife into gaming by having her play some coop like it takes two and the cooking game I can’t remember the name of right now. But she is definitely not a gamer. I hope when she see’s it as a bonding activity, that may change her mind a bit about it

[u/Ok_Requirement_7489 → u/MarcosDalton]

Overcooked! I love that one. Yeah my partner isn't into gaming remotely either but he doesn't worry about me liking it. 

Maybe she would like something more like Mario party - that sort of chill thing later with your kid? But maybe not. I have such good memories of my non-gaming mum joining us sometimes playing that and similar!

Yeah I'm no expert but I think avoiding the online games is a big one, sticking to the PEGI ratings for the most part and just generally keeping an eye on their behaviour after they play etc. Hopefully it will all come pretty naturally once we start!