Let’s hear it for people who are passionate about their beliefs! Adam Sessler shared this soapbox video on G4TV about parents playing games with their kids. He reacted to the same study that we reported here on November 12th. The big issue that he is pushing here is that parents should be involved with their children. I would hope that this concept does not seem foreign to anyone.

He provides a great analogy to his own childhood experience with Star Wars. (Check out the great Darth Vader in the corner of the scree capture!) He never knew that his parents didn’t like it because they watched all the movies with him. They wanted to be involved with their child and understand his interests. This is a crucial point that I know I have been at risk of overlooking – It doesn’t matter whether or not we (the parents) like something. We should take interest in all of the things for which our children care.

My wife has already demonstrated this on a level reserved for martyrs. She hates bugs. Really – Hates – Bugs. (Especially water-bugs and these wicked-fast silverfish things.) If something found its way into our house, she didn’t even want to look at it. Our son is now four years old and he adores bugs. He spends summer days turning over rocks to study them and begs us to go to the insectarium. My wife will go with us and read books that have pictures that show spider fangs blown-up 100x. She hates bugs, but she loves our son. Since he loves bugs, she plays with him and helps him draw pictures. Heck, even last spring she showed great restraint when she helped him hold a giant centipede at a special event at the local butterfly house.

The fact is, whether it be games and television shows or bugs and sports, we need to stay engaged with our kids. Gaming is just one opportunity to bond, but if it’s an important part of your child’s life, you owe it to your kid and yourself to try to get involved. Even if you don’t play the game, ask questions about it and find out what the draw is. You may be surprised at what lessons can be learned and what opportunities can arise.