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Thursday
March 18, 2010 Since 1922 |
Getting involved with kids’ gaming, Internet
By Aaron Barbee
Contributor Published June 14, 2009 Question: Aaron, I’m a mother of two wonderful young teenagers and I would like to know how to connect with my kids in their electronic world. My husband is a little more tech savvy than myself, but we’d like to be a part of that world with them. Plus, I’d like to be a little challenge against them on Super Mario Melee.
Answer: In today’s computerized and console game world, it’s easy for the kids to become distant just because it’s hard for parents to participate in something they’re not familiar or comfortable with. I think it’s important to be able to spend time with your kids as much as you can, especially online and through gaming.
I always tell people when it comes to computers (and games too), the first requirement is to have a desire to do it. Just like everything in life, if your heart isn’t in it, you won’t want to do it, and then you’ll eventually give up. So, the good news is you’ve got the first and largest requirement.
Now, as far as the Internet, it’s critical that you as parents become involved in your child’s (no matter what the age) online activities. If they have a Facebook or MySpace page, either make one yourself and have your kids add you to their friends list, or at least have their password so you can check on things often. There are a lot of bad guys out there and being able to guide them online is very important. Also, look up fun things together with your kids. Just go to www.google.com and search for what interests you both, and blossom from there.
As far as gaming, that’s a bittersweet subject. Yes, I completely understand wanting to give your kid a challenge, or at least being able to move in the game, but you’re going to have to put in a lot of practice time. Whenever you have a free minute and the kids aren’t home, boot up their favorite game and spend some time on it. Chances are it’s the one that’s still in the console. Be careful though, you may get as addicted as they are to it!
There are plenty of places you can go to get helpful hints on games. You can Google it of course, but another way is using FAQs. An FAQ (frequently asked question) is a universal paper that will tell you about everything under the sun that’s the subject of the FAQ. Usually these FAQs walk you through a game from the beginning, and they have a lot of helpful hints. A popular site for FAQs is www.gamefaqs.com. Choose your console (Nintendo, X-Box, Playstation, etc.) at the top, or just use the search feature and look for the game you’re interested in. They have plenty of FAQs on Super Mario Bros.
One last alternative is just watching your kids play their game. They love to show off. If you don’t understand, it doesn’t matter; you can pick up on their excitement and go with it. I highly suggest putting their game console in the living room. Having them spend so much time solo in a separate room just adds to the divide between you guys.
Check out my Web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099. E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.
Contributor Published June 14, 2009 Question: Aaron, I’m a mother of two wonderful young teenagers and I would like to know how to connect with my kids in their electronic world. My husband is a little more tech savvy than myself, but we’d like to be a part of that world with them. Plus, I’d like to be a little challenge against them on Super Mario Melee.
Answer: In today’s computerized and console game world, it’s easy for the kids to become distant just because it’s hard for parents to participate in something they’re not familiar or comfortable with. I think it’s important to be able to spend time with your kids as much as you can, especially online and through gaming.
I always tell people when it comes to computers (and games too), the first requirement is to have a desire to do it. Just like everything in life, if your heart isn’t in it, you won’t want to do it, and then you’ll eventually give up. So, the good news is you’ve got the first and largest requirement.
Now, as far as the Internet, it’s critical that you as parents become involved in your child’s (no matter what the age) online activities. If they have a Facebook or MySpace page, either make one yourself and have your kids add you to their friends list, or at least have their password so you can check on things often. There are a lot of bad guys out there and being able to guide them online is very important. Also, look up fun things together with your kids. Just go to www.google.com and search for what interests you both, and blossom from there.
As far as gaming, that’s a bittersweet subject. Yes, I completely understand wanting to give your kid a challenge, or at least being able to move in the game, but you’re going to have to put in a lot of practice time. Whenever you have a free minute and the kids aren’t home, boot up their favorite game and spend some time on it. Chances are it’s the one that’s still in the console. Be careful though, you may get as addicted as they are to it!
There are plenty of places you can go to get helpful hints on games. You can Google it of course, but another way is using FAQs. An FAQ (frequently asked question) is a universal paper that will tell you about everything under the sun that’s the subject of the FAQ. Usually these FAQs walk you through a game from the beginning, and they have a lot of helpful hints. A popular site for FAQs is www.gamefaqs.com. Choose your console (Nintendo, X-Box, Playstation, etc.) at the top, or just use the search feature and look for the game you’re interested in. They have plenty of FAQs on Super Mario Bros.
One last alternative is just watching your kids play their game. They love to show off. If you don’t understand, it doesn’t matter; you can pick up on their excitement and go with it. I highly suggest putting their game console in the living room. Having them spend so much time solo in a separate room just adds to the divide between you guys.
Check out my Web site www.TexasComputerGuru.com for supplemental information and previous articles as well.
Aaron Barbee owns Texas Computer Guru, a local computer services company for on-site business and residential needs. He can be contacted at 281-628-5099. E-mail questions for Aaron to sunnews(at)baytownsun.com.