XBOX DOESN’T NEED TO BE A FOUR LETTER WORD

Oct 6, 2011

Gaming seems like such a useless word in the world of a working adult. For any person I suppose. When do we have any time to pursue things just for us?

I am finding it hard to game lately. There are just too many other things to do right now. Work has really kicked in, meaning longer hours at the office. The kids are back at school, so there is homework at night and school projects. Then throw in karate, gymnastics, afterschool programs, a new dog and house upkeep…well it seems like what free time I have is spent sleeping.

For everyone here at the Pork Chop Platoon, our daily lives can often be overwhelming and this makes our love of gaming both challenging as well as rewarding. Because of work, families, school or whatever else life throws at us, it is so important to have proper balance and that means making time for yourself. Video games, whether enjoyed alone or with your family, are great ways to express your personal interests and relieve daily stress. It is an escape from the grind and it is something we all have in common. So how do we find time? How do we justify this hobby? Not sure it is the same for everyone, but here is my perspective and I hope it helps.

Find Time for Gaming

As adults, we are caregivers, income earners, nurturers, and providers, all for the betterment of our families and ourselves. It is important to find time for gaming as that allows us to express who we are, but finding the time can be an issue. Gaming should never detract from time spent working or from time spent with family. Taking time away from work means a drop in income, and taking time away from family can create tension in relationships. So what can you do? Here are some ideas that I use, maybe you have other ways of coping, but no matter what we all have to balance our time.

• Write down your daily routine, including time spent working, time spent with family and even idle time. The goal is to closely examine your schedule to find 15 minutes here or 20 minutes there that you can devote to your gaming. By the end of the week, you should be able to find a couple of hours that you can spend doing something just for you. Something as simple as working more efficiently, and making the most of your time will lead to more spare time to devote to Call of Duty or Battlefield.
• Compromise and communicate, these are the key things in a healthy relationship and for a healthy gaming experience. Honestly, I would love to game all the time, but realistically I can’t. So I have worked out a system with my family- I can game after they have gone to bed and I get a few hours of “me” time on the weekend to game. Granted, any sort of schedule needs to be flexible and it is ever changing, but it is a framework we can all live with.
• Take a Gamecation. You heard me, set aside a day off where everyone knows it is all about gaming. Some call this a sanity break, others a sick day ( cough, cough ) but no matter what, it should be just you and the Xbox. Make sure you maximize your day by getting all of your other chores checked off before hand. Not only does that keep you gaming, it keeps your significant other from seeing it as a waste of time.

Create your own Space

• Carving out your own retreat is a great way to help you isolate yourself from the everyday rigors of normal life. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a tree blind where you can hide, but rather a place for you to fully immerse yourself in gaming for the brief time you have. A comfy chair, a good TV, and walls to keep everything else out and your game noise in. This is a benefit for everyone as it sets very real boundaries for the household.
• If you are like me, then your children want to game as well and not just on a designated night ( see below ). Viva Pinata is OK some of the time, but let’s face it, we all want our own space. So create a gaming area for your child just like yours. If you have a hard time playing because your child always wants to “help”, give him/her an area in which to play and their own Xbox to use. Sure this may not be something everyone can afford or even accommodate, but if you can…do it! My son has his own Xbox now, and thanks to the great parental controls I can limit his time and what he plays, but the best part is he no longer bothers me or uses my machine with his friends.

Game with Your Family

• There are many games to choose from that allow you to spend time with your family and participate in a fun family friendly activity. If your family likes adventure, try a game with local co-op.
• You could also establish your own family movie night and watch a movie together once a week on Netflix. Make popcorn, put on your pj’s, and enjoy! The Kinect is great for group activities and almost all of the games are rated E for everyone. Dance Central is a family favorite in my house and I love Wipeout for the zany games and slow motion replays! Sure it isn’t Gears of War or Black Ops, but investing in family time WHILE gaming helps them to accept your hobby, even if just marginally.

Bottom Line

Balancing work and life is essential for any older gamer. Making time for work and family is necessary, but it is also important to find time to just kick back and stomp on Timmies. Of course having a great support group like the Pork Chop Platoon helps as well! See you on the battlefield and game on!