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Minecraft: Give Us Back Our Kids
As parents, we naturally want to nurture our kids’ interests. If they show excitement about something, we do our best to provide them with opportunities to dive right in. We aim to be supportive, enthusiastic, and engaged. But sometimes, those interests revolve around Minecraft.
If I could choose what my kids were into, life would be a breeze. Sadly, external influences like school, friends, and the endless scroll of the Internet steer them toward things I might not be thrilled about. Some of those things are easy to shut down – like when my child comes home asking if they can go to a friend’s house to play a game rated ‘M’ and then asks, “What’s a hooker?”
When they were toddlers, I endured countless hours of Caillou and Dora. The sounds of Elmo haunted my dreams, and “The Wheels on the Bus” played on repeat in the car. I longed for the day when they’d be into more bearable things. I envisioned us bonding over shared interests. But little did I know, while they were busy with their arts and crafts, a guy named Markus “Notch” Persson was in a basement somewhere, creating a game that would lead me to roll my eyes into a new dimension.
Enter Minecraft.
I can’t deny there’s no good reason for me to put my foot down about it. Compared to other mindless games, it’s not so bad. It promotes creativity, offers challenges, and has no inappropriate content. If they could just play it quietly, we’d all be fine.
But the kids who barely say a word when I ask what they did at school will talk non-stop about Minecraft. They’ll follow me to the mailbox and even on my imaginary trek to Kathmandu in search of wisdom, all while asking why they’re so obsessed with blocks and pixels.
I’ve tried to show interest. I even played the game, hoping to understand their passion. All it did was make me see how much Creepers resemble blocky green… well, you get it. I’ve spent what feels like years trying to engage without zoning out. But it’s just so hard.
It’s not just their endless chatter about the game; it’s like they’re speaking a different language. Griefing, spawning, endermen, redstone, mobs, mods – I feel like a tourist in a foreign land, struggling to grasp the essentials like “bathroom” and “beer.”
When they aren’t playing or talking about Minecraft, they’re glued to YouTube, watching other people play, like Stampy Longnose or The Diamond Minecart, whose accents make it slightly less mind-numbing. They beg for Minecraft gear, wear themed shirts, read books, and play with figurines. I once forked over $35 for a minuscule Minecraft Lego set!
Clearly, I’m not alone in this struggle. Notch has made a fortune off of our kids’ enthusiasm. I half-joke about moving in with him, where my kids can pester someone who actually understands their obsession, while I escape to a quiet room. He has 15 bathrooms, after all.
I truly appreciate my kids’ passion and eagerness to learn, but too much of anything can be overwhelming. So here’s to hoping for a balance!
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Summary:
Navigating the world of parenting and children’s interests can be a challenge, especially when it revolves around the obsession with Minecraft. While it’s great to support their passions, the overwhelming nature of their enthusiasm can leave parents yearning for a break. Finding a balance is essential for maintaining sanity, and exploring additional resources can help along the way.