mother thinks video games are a waste of time

[Evostatic343]

so my mother absolutely hates it when i play games whether its on the pc or xbox. every time i play them she either makes me stop and gives me a whole lecture on how i should be doing better things with my life or just limits my time playing. to be fair i only play on average 1-2 hours ish a day. how can i explain to her that they are actually fun and aren't pointless?

 

please dont troll i just want the opinion of other forum members. 

[Raudi_]

Its a way of dealing with aggression or other feelings, it helps you have some interaction with people from around the world. Its a nice tool for social skills to because online you will meet all sorts of people.

[Equilibrium_FOOL]

Just say how you enjoy them, and that they are a good waste of time.  Tbh does your mom really want you on the street, hanging out with inappropriate friends?  Pick your poison.

[Suika]

So throwing a ball nonstop for hours on end is more fun and creative than being able to create and follow an adventure or story?

 

Lady, you grew up in the wrong time.

[a_block_of_wood]

Might help if we know how old are you and how old is your mom. Rough guide would do. Because for me I would tell my mom I need to unwind after a long day of work and my mom is retired.

 

Generally ask your mom what would she prefer you to do instead, and start to debate why gaming is just as good, if not better than what she had in mind.

[VioDuskar]

-sry double post-

[VioDuskar]

come on dick, that's the only education we got.

 

[tmlhalo]

You should be doing something like watching TV or sleeping. Those are productive. /s Maybe even read a book because people here like to flaunt the fact they can read. Big whoop, I passed elementary school too. Imaginary fictional bedtime stories, sorry I mean "novels" are so much better than playing in a virtual fantasy land... That or they read written porn. Cough 50 Shades of Grey cough.

[Evostatic343]

i am 17 my mom is 52

[Hoppa]

Life is a waste of time if you live it the way your parents/ other people tell you to.

[VioDuskar]

-computer is acting up with these triple posts sorry-

[Polyvalent]

Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted.

[bob345]

so my mother absolutely hates it when i play games whether its on the pc or xbox. every time i play them she either makes me stop and gives me a whole lecture on how i should be doing better things with my life or just limits my time playing. to be fair i only play on average 1-2 hours ish a day. how can i explain to her that they are actually fun and aren't pointless?

 

please dont troll i just want the opinion of other forum members. 

does she watch tv? if she does then let her know how pointless and what a waste of time that is. Especially most news stations nowadays.

[Polyvalent]

In all fairness if you only play 1-2 hours a day you could probably just prove to her you can still be productive and play games in moderation.

[Hyunato]

Not everyone is convinced easily but I would generally say that it's just entertainment and I love it. Why take that away from me? 

As long as you do your homework, do chores and have no social issues, I don't see any problem whatsoever. 

[Hyunato]

Excuse the double post. 

[HippY]

She might be right tho

 

I was playing games 24/7 when I was younger (around 16) and THAT was waste of time

Same with books. If you read an hour or two per day, to calm you down, that is fine. But if you read book all the time, and you are not progressing with your life, apart from the fact that you are enjoying yourself, it is not too productive.

I think that might be your mums problem, and she is right. You can achieve so much while you are young, create friendships that will be useful later on,  try out new things, explore the world around you... Gaming is a good past time activity. But I think it should be a small addition for you, not something that you should do all the time

[Evostatic343]

Not everyone is convinced easily but I would generally say that it's just entertainment and I love it. Why take that away from me? 

As long as you do your homework, do chores and have no social issues, I don't see any problem whatsoever. 

i do my homework and study and my marks are average but she just pulls it on me that untill i get straight A's i shouldnt be wasting time on video games.

[Sumsar]

Just ask her, if she thinks that she is being more productive than you, by bitching about you having fun.

[EpicGeekonFire]

Technically she is right, you can always be learning something, or doing something healthier or more productive than playing games. 

 

You'll learn that it was wasted time when you struggle to get good grades on the SATs, or struggle to stay fit. 

 

Various other things apply, things that I have discovered in my own life. 

[a_block_of_wood]

i am 17 my mom is 52

When I was 17 I get average 1-2 hours of gameplay per day too, of course, more on weekend and less on week day.

 

I have my chores. Help my dad water the plants, sweep the floor occasionally, and do the dishes every other day (share with my brother). Other than that I'm either doing my homework or playing games.

 

I do not watch TV. TV is my parent's entertainment, gaming is mine. I sort of go by that, and argue that (back in those days) gaming is good for hand-eye coordination.

[Commander Llama]

That or they read written porn. Cough 50 Shades of Grey cough.

 

Written porn?  Naw, that was written pain.

[xCaleb]

Tell her that you are 17 and anything you can do besides video games is just as meaningless and probably more costly/dangerous.

[Hyunato]

i do my homework and study and my marks are average but she just pulls it on me that untill i get straight A's i shouldnt be wasting time on video games.

 

I'm afraid that's just what parents do. 99% of this forum probably experienced or is still experiencing what you are right now. I expect as you grow up and start driving cars and maybe drink alcohol your mother will bug you less about it when she sees you growing up. The gaming industry is bigger than the movie industry nowadays so you're not alone in playing video games. Everyone loves them. 

 

One last things I'd like to say is I see some people here posting quite aggressively because they strongly disagree with your mother, I find that rather rude and I hope it doesn't bother you. 

[d3sl91]

Technically she is right, you can always be learning something, or doing something healthier or more productive than playing games. 

 

You'll learn that it was wasted time when you struggle to get good grades on the SATs, or struggle to stay fit. 

 

Various other things apply, things that I have discovered in my own life. 

This exactly. 

 

If you have anything else you could be doing to make your life or someone else's life better, than Playing video games, reading a novel, watching a TV, listening to music can all be wasting your time. 

 

But, again, just like anything else people do to relax, there's nothing wrong with some gaming or movies or whatever. 

 

Now, for advice from a 23 year old dude who's getting married soon, Runs a clan with 50 people, has several game servers etc - You need to have your priorities straight. I game once a week. I used to game for 2-3 hours a day. But as life goes on, make sure you have your family, friends, Job, etc at a higher priority than playing games/movies whatever. 

 

So, As annoying as your mom may be now, I'd say it would be worse if she didn't care at all, and let you game constantly without thinking about it. You may try asking her what her reasons are for not wanting you to game. Unfortunately, it sounds like her reason is "grades", which is not really the best reason.... but maybe if you have an adult conversation about it, you can come to a better understanding.