The moment you get a kid is the moment you can no longer dedicate hours a day to your gaming passion. When new parents play video games, life for them changes drastically.
Prior to getting a kid, you could easily spend five or six hours a day gaming, before work, after studies, you name it. You could stay up late, no issues at all.
With a child, everything changes. There’s an extra responsibility in your life and it’s not a light one. It’s not like you can give your kid an hour or two a day. Your little one needs you on a 24/7 basis.
How do you find the balance then? Here are a few tips and tricks to help parents play video games while parenting.
Tips to help parents play video games while parenting
Evaluate your priorities
Basically, you need a plan. You know you have one main priority and that’s your baby. Obviously, they need priority over your gaming experience. You’ll need to keep an eye on potential threats in a room than on your battleships in a game.
Furthermore, kids do require lots of attention and they hate being ignored. In the long run, as your little one grows, you’ll end up regretting missed time. Your life has changed, indeed, but games are just games.
A kid is a massive responsibility and should be your top priority. Instead of battling to make a decision, simply embrace the change. Remember, you are not alone, other parents play video games too. And while some may shy away from scary games online, they can be a fun way to unwind after the kids are asleep.
Make a plan
Obviously, you can no longer spend 10 hours a day enjoying your favourite ROM games with your childhood friends. But you can still spend a few hours doing it. You’ll have to work this out with your partner.
Ideally, you can spend the day with your baby while your partner is at work and play for a few hours while your little one sleeps.
Spend some quality time with your partner, recharge your batteries and once they go to sleep, throw in a few more hours into your favourite games.
Of course, you need to keep the baby next to you. For best results, your little one should be asleep too. Some parents play video games while others use this time to sleep.
What works for some people won’t work for everyone else, so you’ll need to make a plan for your unique circumstances. Work around your baby’s routine, as well as your partner’s free time.
Find the balance
Despite having a plan, you may still struggle, especially when you get into one of those games that take hours to complete, not to mention the quick addictive games. You know what, it’s a line, just one more go and you’ll end it.
However, when it kicks in, you need to remember that there’s something more important in your life now. It is not recommended that parents play video games all night.
A baby won’t understand that you’re tired because you played until 3 am. They want your attention and they want it now. Forget about breaks, you won’t get one. You have to accept that parents play games on a tight schedule.
Then, there’s also work. If you’re staying at home, you’ll have work to do around the house. If you work outside the home, you’ll understand how important money is for your new life.
Overdoing something will lead to burnout, so avoid it. The best thing to do is sit down with your partner, grab a pen and paper, and work the balance out. Other parents play video games and balance their parenting life just right.
Have fun
Keep in mind that you need to get as much fun as possible from your new gaming experience. There will be times when you’ll have to leave the game behind out of nowhere if your kid needs you. You could get killed or maybe kicked out of a game, it’s perfectly normal.
You’re not alone in this venture and apart from plenty potty mouthed teens, a lot of other parents play video games as well and are going through the exact same thing.
Final words
Gaming in mommy time or daddy time is all about finding the perfect balance between parenthood and indulging in your favourite video games. It’s a chance to unwind, destress, and connect with a vibrant online community.
Picture this: As you enjoy playing your favourite games, you’re also skillfully juggling your new responsibilities. It’s all about striking that perfect equilibrium, making sure you don’t neglect any aspect of your life.
So, grab your controller and prepare for an exhilarating adventure that combines the joys of motherhood or fatherhood with the excitement of gaming.
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