Balancing Family Time and Gaming: Navigating Tech Boundaries with Great-Nephews
- We live on a lake and love hosting our great-nieces and nephews during school breaks and family vacations.
- Our 11-year-old great-nephew has been gaming for about a year.
- How can we speak to his parents, who think his gaming team is great, while I worry it’s a bad sign?
Dear Eric:
We live on a lake and love hosting our great-nieces and nephews during school breaks and family vacations. My husband and I have no children, but our niece’s families are very important to us.
Our 11-year-old great-nephew has been gaming for about a year. When he visits, he prefers to play video games instead of reading, playing cards, or board games with us like he used to.
We feel disconnected. How can we speak to his parents, who think his gaming team is great, while I worry it’s a bad sign? What is a fair way to find balance?
– Game Off
Dear Game Off:
Let his parents manage their child. Every generation worries about technology changing social interactions. While some concerns are valid, previous generations have adapted and thrived despite technology.
In moderation, video games can improve a child’s cognitive skills. Even if you don’t prefer gaming, respect the choices that his parents make.
Focus on bringing the family together. Talk to your niece and her husband about activities everyone can enjoy. Try playing a game with your great-nephew and learn from him. This can help build connections and make family time more enjoyable.