Gaming as a Dad: Escape and Connection

The last few blogs I’ve written have been on the heavier side. Today, I want to talk about something lighter, but still important to me: gaming. I can just imagine some of you rolling your eyes, but keep reading.

Gaming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, my first gaming system was the Sega Genesis and I still remember my cousin coming over to set it up. He’s actually probably reading this right now (Thanks). What used to be about high scores and bragging rights with friends is now about connection, winding down, and I know it sounds crazy, but teaching moments. It’s funny how something that used to be simple can become layered and complex as we grow older, I guess that’s true with most things in life. For me, gaming has always been more than just a pastime. It’s been an escape and even a source of tiny accomplishments. Small wins that after a long exhausting day are meaningful. It’s about creating a safe, fun space where we can laugh and hopefully get some wins together.

Winter is Coming. (Please tell me you know where this is from)

When summer rolls around my kids and I spend every second of daylight outside. Starting in late February, I literally track sunset times and tell my wife how many extra minutes of light we’ve gained that day. She finds this mildly annoying, but I can’t help it. To me, those extra minutes feel like little bonuses each day.

It’s almost like I treat summer as a different kind of game, where the objective is to use every second of daylight. When I see my kids laughing in the backyard or covered in chalk from the driveway, I know we made the best of the day. Summer is about physical play, imagination, and fresh air.

But once the days shorten and the sun disappears earlier, gaming becomes our way of winding down. In the winter, when it gets dark before dinner, my kids and I play a lot more video games.

Those winter nights don’t feel like a downgrade from summer, they’re just different. There’s something warm about the way we sit in the living room and just spend time together before bed. So yes, we prefer the summer but we enjoy winter just as much, I want to teach my kids to go with the flow and embrace the rhythm of the year.

Gaming Consultant

I don’t think a lot of people realize how important story telling is to gaming. There have been some games that after the credits rolled I sat there in shock about how the story played out and continued thinking about it for quite literally for years. I will argue with anyone that video games have put out better stories than movies and TV shows. I am specifically thinking of Final Fantasy 15, The Last of Us, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It’s incredible how deep and impactful these stories are. Have you noticed shows and movies are now based off video games, rather than books? My kids may not understand every challenge or reference, but they connect with the characters and their journeys. They’ve learned that even heroes fail and have to try again. In many ways, the lessons hidden in these games are no different from the ones we try to teach as parents.

What I love is that it isn’t just me playing while they watch. They participate. They’ll spot hidden power-ups or yell out, “Dada, you missed that one!” My daughter has even taken it a step further; she’ll research boss fights on YouTube so she can coach me when I’m stuck. Imagine me sitting there, controller in hand, frustrated by the same attack pattern. She then chimes it what I need to do, it’s like she’s my personal gaming consultant.

It’s funny, but also very important to her. She’s learning resourcefulness, teamwork, and problem-solving, all disguised as gaming tips. It also gives her a sense of pride, because she’s not just watching Dada play; she’s helping me win. And when her advice works, she is thrilled and makes pretend notes in her notebook.

It cracks me up every time, but it also makes me proud. She’s problem-solving, strategizing, and, most importantly, joining me in something I’ve always loved.

Silent Judgment

One thing I have always noticed about being an adult gamer is that it still comes with silent judgment. I know you’ve probably seen it too. The raised eyebrows, the “don’t you have better things to do?” comments, or the subtle implication that video games are for kids.

It doesn’t bother me anymore but in the past, it used to bother me so much and frankly did not make sense to me. To me, gaming is far more interactive than TV. I don’t feel passive. When someone is watching TV, a movie, or a sports game they are literally just sitting there for hours. Literally hours.

With games, I’m part of the story, part of the challenge, and make choices for the characters. And while I may not be running a marathon or changing the car’s oil, finishing a level or beating a boss does give me a tiny sense of accomplishment. Sometimes that’s exactly what I need at the end of a long day. It’s less about escaping responsibility and more about recharging in a way that works for me. When I put the controller down, I’m still the same dad, the same husband, the same professional. But for that one hour, I’ve stepped into another world, solved a few problems, and walked away with a win. That feels good.

We live in a world where so much of what we do is measured by productivity. Gaming isn’t like that. There’s no big audience. No “likes” or “shares.” That’s part of why I love it. It’s a private sense of achievement that exists only between me and sometimes my kids cheering from the couch. The world doesn’t need to know every victory, and that makes the victories even sweeter. When I finally beat a tricky boss, or when my daughter’s YouTube researched strategy actually works, I feel this quiet sense of achievement. These small wins stack up, reminding me that progress doesn’t always have to be monumental to feel good. They keep me grounded.

The real reward is how gaming has turned into a shared language between me and my kids. They don’t always understand what I do at work. They don’t always understand my workouts or my running goals. But when I sit down with a controller, they know the mission. They know the characters.

That bond is priceless. It’s a reminder that connection doesn’t always have to come through lectures or planned activities. Sometimes, it’s just about doing what you love and letting your kids join you.

Memories

So yes, gaming has been my escape. It’s given me tiny accomplishments in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming. And most of all, it’s become one of the ways I connect with my kids, especially during those restless long winter nights. I love the fact that gaming started as a solo hobby has turned into one of my favorite family activities.

And if anyone ever judges me for being an adult gamer, I’ve learned not to take it personally. They don’t see the stars or coins my kids spot, the research my daughter did, or the way we laugh together when I fail a boss fight for the tenth damn time. Connection matters and I hope you have found a way to connect with your loved ones. I especially hope you can share your hobbies with your children and they enjoy them as much as you do.

Thank You

Thank you for reading, we are growing and every new subscriber I get is still amazing to me. If this resonates with you, whether you’re a gamer, parent or both, I’d love to hear from you. Share this with a friend and don’t forget to subscribe at SavePointDad.com. Feel free to reach out anytime at savepointdad@gmail.com. I post a lot of random crap on Instagram so you might want to check that out also.