One of the coolest things about being a father and a gamer is that I can share my gaming knowledge and experience with my son. It’s a real blessing to be able to have something that we can bond over. For the all the craziness that surrounds him growing up, It’s good to know that when the controllers are passed out and the familiar chime of my 360 sounds we can laugh, talk and just be father and son.

My son and I have a wonderful connection and I pray to God that never changes. We do all sorts of things together: Kenpo, Shootfighting, movies, books…whatever. We don’t watch any of the pro league sports outside of the occasional MMA or boxing event but that’s mainly due to the fact that I didn’t grow up watching it. I was a gamer; that’s what I did. My parents  both worked full time to provide a private education and a good neighborhood to reside in. A lack of time and financial resources and travel issues helped complicate matters. I didn’t mind however. I was short and skinny and appreciated my parents concern for my medical well being. Medical insurance has never been cheap and something happening was all we needed. You can call it being scared, I call it enjoying whatever game I wanted.

My son and I playing SFIII. We’re rusty but having oh so much fun.

Good thing I stuck with gaming because years, consoles and games later, I have a unique edge over many dads who don’t know anything about games and if you have an 11-year-old son like I do. Not only that but I get cool dad points for knowing about games. For me it works out great for you it could be something else, what you do is largely irrelevant. What is relevant is that If you don’t spend time making connections with your kids; and fathers in particular regarding their sons, I’m  really talking to you. It is very important that you having something(s) that you can approach together, something neutral where you both feel welcome.

Do not let this time go buy without making positive impressions on your sons. If you do not, they (and you and possibly society) will pay for it in the end.  There are all sorts of things that you can do together: the activity itself matters not, as long as it’s legal of course, but spend the time to build those bridges. It is your responsibility as a man and father. If you don’t, it may be too late in the future. Spend the time and raise them up correctly.