Responsible parenting

[InsanityRequiem]

Yesterday I went to Gamestop to buy a couple used games and I saw a father and his eight year (That's what he looked like) old son in the PS2 used games section of the store. Usually when I see the rare parent/child combo, I see the parent buying the game without even bothering to look at what it is. But this time it was different, as I saw the son reaching and picking up The Warriors for the PS2, I give a glance to them and immediately see the father extend his hand to his son, telling him to hand the game over. What next made me grin, he flipped the game box over and started reading the entirety of the backside. As I grabbed my two games I wanted to show the clerk, I saw the father shake his head and put the game back on the shelf. Sadly I wasn't close enough to hear what he said to his son.

What about you all? What are your stories of parents being awesomely responsible? Give and tell, so the rest of the community can regain a little faith in the parents of today?

 

[apelsz]

My mom went with me while shopping for Wii games. First one I pick out is MadWorld, she says no, because it's rated M and has too much blood. Instead she bought me my favourite game ever in a used game store: Paper Mario 2.

If trading a bad game for your favourite game because of blood isn't awesome, and responsible parenting, I don't know what is.

EDIT: I know Paper Mario 2 isn't for the Wii, but after that I decided to just get another GameCube game.

 

[sms_117b]

I........I almost fell out of my chair in shock.

I have no responsible story to match yours OP, touché, my job practically revolves around parents being irresponsible.

 

[squid5580]

My little one is screwed if she grows up gaming. The old man will have to play through the game first to make sure it is appropriate. Although I will look like the worst parent ever if I take her to GS. 1 E10 game and a stack of Ms

 

[DarkDain]

I give a glance to them and immediately see the father extend his hand to his son, telling him to hand the game over. What next made me grin, he flipped the game box over and started reading the entirety of the backside. As I grabbed my two games I wanted to show the clerk, I saw the father shake his head and put the game back on the shelf. Sadly I wasn't close enough to hear what he said to his son.

He probably said 'Son, what have i told you about picking games that are based off of movies? Bad Tommy, bad!'

Sorry.

 

[Amnestic]

My parents bought me and my brother GTA, GTA:London and GTA2 on the PC before I even hit double digits.

"Responsible Parenting" is understanding what is suitable for your child, not only what the ratings board think is suitable. They might overlap, they might not. It will change from child to child, game to game.

Denying a child a game because the ratings say so - even when it's quite clear they have the presence of mind to play it, understand it's fiction and maturely approach the subject matter - is irresponsible, in my eyes.

/Turning 20 in less than 2 months
//As I said, parents never held back on what I played.
///Be nice to your parents and they'll be nice to you.

 

[Mochme]

ive seen no good parenting infact I saw a guy getting his son who looked like he was in kindergarten god of war 3

 

[Nouw]

My parents bought me and my brother GTA, GTA:London and GTA2 on the PC before I even hit double digits.

"Responsible Parenting" is understanding what is suitable for your child, not only what the ratings board think is suitable. They might overlap, they might not. It will change from child to child, game to game.

Denying a child a game because the ratings say so - even when it's quite clear they have the presence of mind to play it, understand it's fiction and maturely approach the subject matter - is irresponsible, in my eyes.

/Turning 20 in less than 2 months
//As I said, parents never held back on what I played.
///Be nice to your parents and they'll be nice to you.

I totally agree. Unfortunately my parents dont.

 

[ScorpionClaw]

We were always careful with age-restricted games for our kids although now they are adults they can pick and choose anything they want. Our son was (So he claims) the only kid in the school whose parents wouldn't let him buy GTA (I forget which one) when he was 15 although we did allow him to get it when he was 17 even though it's an 18 rated game in the UK

 

[Artina89]

When I was younger, my parents would check games to see if they were suitable, or at least be in the room when my brother and I were playing games (it was easy considering they nearly always set up games consoles in the living room) but when I turned 14 or 15, they said that I could play pretty much any game we wanted as long as I got good grades, as they don't subscribe to the "if you play [insert game title here], you will turn into a crook" mentality.

 

[insectoid]

Wow, I've never seen anything like that happen - that's really great (not for the kid though I suppose). It's good to know that some parents still do responsibly monitor what their kids are doing. Though I do agree that parents shouldn't blindly follow the ratings, but rather decide on what is appropriate given what they know of their child's maturity.

 

[Wounded Melody]

I don't have any "responsible parent" moments...my parents trusted me to pick what I wanted to play, although my mom gave me a little grief over "Eternal Champions" when I kicked someone into the electrical sign and they fried XD

 

[Super Toast]

Yesterday I went to Gamestop to buy a couple used games and I saw a father and his eight year (That's what he looked like) old son in the PS2 used games section of the store. Usually when I see the rare parent/child combo, I see the parent buying the game without even bothering to look at what it is. But this time it was different, as I saw the son reaching and picking up The Warriors for the PS2, I give a glance to them and immediately see the father extend his hand to his son, telling him to hand the game over. What next made me grin, he flipped the game box over and started reading the entirety of the backside. As I grabbed my two games I wanted to show the clerk, I saw the father shake his head and put the game back on the shelf. Sadly I wasn't close enough to hear what he said to his son.

What about you all? What are your stories of parents being awesomely responsible? Give and tell, so the rest of the community can regain a little faith in the parents of today?

That is a very good father. Kudos to him. I once saw a mother at Adventure World avoid the rides so she could keep her baby comfortable.

 

[ottenni]

Yeah my parents never allowed me to get the GTA games. Now that i think of it that was a good thing, i never liked those games that much anyway. They where always very involved, in fact i got into gaming because my mum bought me Age of Empires. I swear ive learnt more history from that game then i ever did in school.

 

[The_Deleted]

I tend to be a little more relaxed when it comes to which games I allow my four year old to play.
But, I also know what he's playing, what the content is of any game and what I myself feel comfortable with him being exposed to when it come to the entertainment he is exposed to, be
it film, game or comics.

He's a big fantasy nut, like his dad, and loves all things Transformers, Ben 10 and Super Hero stuff so, obviously, my game collection reflects my tastes and not all of it is appropriate for him to play.

So, while I'm happy for him to play Mercenaries 2, seeing no issue with guns and the relativity tame violence, I did not expose him to Aliens Vs. Predator, despite the fact he has yoinked a couple of my Alien and Predator figures, so is familiar with the characters (and did ask on numerous occasions to play the game), it would not have been responsible to allow him to see the levels of violence, or more pertinently for me, hear the language used.
That said, he played God of War II the other day. The level of difficulty ensured he wouldn't get very far, the violence is OTT and ridiculous and, fair play to him, he did OK. I did, however, feel a slightly uncomfortable and didn't let him play too long. I don't think I'd feel comfortable letting him play III yet, it being far more graphic.

I do believe you have to allow children to discover some unpleasant truths in life. By keeping them away from violence and weapons you are only mystifying these experiences and therefore making them far more attractive as they grow up, and far less able to cope with any emotions they might experience. As a responsible parent, you can discuss what is happening on screen, explain the context and why it is happening at a level appropriate for the individual.

Children will always copy what they find exciting, be it Ben 10, Star Wars or games, (hell, my son peed on me 'cause he saw Bumblebee do it), but, again, as responsible parents it is up to us to make sure they understand the difference between the fantasy of the medium and the reality of the consequences.
It's no good telling them NO, you need to explain why.