As dusk gently heralds approaching night, a hush settles over a house filled
with kids, preceding that magical moment when a parent can sit back and take
a few moments to relax. Sounds pretty easy, but if you're a parent, then you
know that blissful feeling I am referring to. It comes right about an hour or
so after dinner, when homework is finally done, baths are being drawn, and everyone
begins to unwind.

How do gaming parents spend this time? Typically, they head over to their computers,
filled with anticipation. There is always something to do in game, be it a raid,
grouping, guild meeting or trade skill session. How does one balance the stress
and excitement of a monumental raid with the call for bedtime stories, more
juice, and the never-ending discussion required for deciding what is on TV?

We all love our children more than life itself but let's face it, there are
times we wish that the use of duct tape applied liberally wasn't a punishable
offense! Children, no matter if they are infants, toddlers or even those loveable
teens, can offer a unique challenge to even the most patient parent. So stop
pulling your hair out. Here are some hints, gathered from dire necessity, to
make your playing and raiding time a bit less hectic.

Let's begin with the little bundles of joy who bring so much to our lives,
and I don't just mean the sleepless nights and interesting stains on our clothes.
Whoever said it was a bad idea to plan your real life around your gaming schedule
obviously never played anything created by Brad McQuaid and company!

Show those little angels who is boss and try to work both your real life schedule
and gaming schedule for the best of both worlds. Make bed and naptimes an hour
before your raids. This is a great way to have a few minutes to decompress before
the welcome stress of raiding sets in. It also allows for those rare times when
bedtime doesn't go smoothly.

When
bed, or naptime, doesn't work into the schedule, there are other things you
can do to keep the little one entertained. I find this is mostly the case on
weekends. Many times I have pulled a high chair or swing next to my desk and
sang songs or played a round or two of patty cake while zoning.

Infants quickly begin to recognize colors, moving objects and follow sound.
Being able to see the computer screen while resting happily beside you can be
very stimulating to babies. Who knows, maybe this subconscious exposure to gameplay
will even help them develop into better gamers too…we can hope, right?
Just a bit of creative thought can make your raid time with your infant much
more pleasurable than a tug of war for your time and attention between children
and guild.

Once our infants hit the toddler years and beyond, one would think it would
be a bit easier to find time to sit at the computer undisturbed. Little did
we realize that the fun had just begun! Instead of our running to change diapers
and clean up little messes, the chaos now encompasses the whole house. Parents
become jungle gyms, maids, jesters and traffic cops. Finding time to raid or
even just log on to socialize can be a challenge in itself.

When your child is old enough to understand the basic concept of what you are
doing, make them a part of it. If you play a class that has a pet, let your
child pretend that they are the pet. Talk to them while you play. Make it exciting
that they are "beating up" the mob, or make their death a fun thing
as the mob eats through tanks and pets alike. Ask them to dance around as you
summon them again and ask them to watch as the pet comes to life on the screen!
Trust me, after a few times they will be reminding you to give them armor and
weapons and to let them run off to play with the mobs!

If you happen to play a tank or a character that doesn't have a pet, they can
still help by being in charge of watching out for your health…or the mobs.
Just giving them something they are in charge of doing helps to involve them.
It also begins to teach them responsibility in a setting that is safe and encouraging.
If you happen to die, you can teach them the lesson of perseverance. MMOs actually
provide a wonderful environment to teach and to learn life skills without some
of the stresses and dangers of the real world.

Having something to focus on will keep your child glued to a chair next to
you, excitedly keeping you company through your event. You never know, they
may even alert you to an add coming your way while you focus on the mob in front
of you!

Trying to think of a way to reward your school aged children and teens for
good grades? How about gaming time for grades? A simple way to begin this is
to allow them a specific amount of time for good reports. You might even allow
gaming time as a treat after homework is finished or chores completed.

Even a kindergartener can get motivated by the thought of spending time during
summer vacation making a character on Mom or Dad's account. Teens may even be
rewarded with their own account or even a guild membership. There are many options
here that you can consider. As parents we are always struggling to find ways
to encourage our children in their behavior and education. In the "old
days," being grounded from the TV or the phone was the punishment that
was dreaded. Today's children are more attached to their games than ever before,
and withdrawal of gaming privileges has a real impact on them.

There
are many parents who are happily cultivating the next generation of gamers by
setting up accounts or at least letting their children make a character or two
on their accounts once they are old enough to understand the game better. In
our home, my oldest daughter started playing Dungeons & Dragons with us
when she was ten and Everquest soon after we began to play it. This interaction
can open the door to many issues that parents today face. Just as we need to
be involved in their lives at school and with friends, we need to be vigilant
in their virtual worlds as well.

There are many services, organizations and resources to help parents be aware
of the content in popular games. These should be the first line of defense in
keeping our children safe from inappropriate content, unwelcome attention from
people looking to cause trouble, and any situation that is beyond the scope
of each child's ability to understand or deal with. As gamers ourselves, it
is easier to monitor them and involve them in the games we are playing, where
we are certain of the content. But this doesn't mean that we shouldn't encourage
them to find their own likes and dislikes.

Children can present a challenge to our gaming schedules but, with just a bit
of creative thinking on our part, they can add an unpredictable yet enjoyable
variable. Online or pen and paper gaming is a great activity that can keep a
spark of fun in our busy family lives. I like to think that the family that
games together is one that will keep laughing and working together, even when
real life gets challenging. Gaming teaches a lesson in teamwork that will stick
with our children their whole lives.

Editor's Note: We hope you have enjoyed Lady Sirse's tips for gaming parents. Tomorrow, watch for Aunraye's "Parents and Gaming: The OTHER Side of the Coin," where she shares what it was like growing up as an avid gamer with computerly challenged parents.