Parents, kids, and gaming

From Opposable Thumbs, a discussion of this MSNBC article on parents and gaming:

I have a six year-old and a four year-old in the house, and we don’t let them play video games yet. When I was growing up, I didn’t get involved in video games until I was older, and was already a voracious reader and outside-goer. I’d like to let my kids get the same chances to explore the real world before introducing them to the virtual one. But I’m looking forward to playing games with them in the future, and hopefully being the cool gaming dad.

GamerDad also offers his thoughts on the importance of gaming with children:

Let me answer the question for you. The answer is “worthwhile.” Or at least as worthwhile as watching football, playing catch, reading poetry out loud together (hey, some family probably still does this) and playing board games or just being social.

My two boys, 3 1/2 and 1 1/2, are not yet old enough to play and fully understand games.  However, the time is coming.  Right now I hand them both a controller sans batteries so they can play along.  On occasion, I give them a real controller and let them ride around as Tony Hawk in Pro Skater 4.  I look forward to the day when we can conquer the galaxy together with a game like Lego Star Wars 2 or take turns at a level boss in Ratchet & Clank.