Parents won't let me play video games?

I was just wondering how you guys, if any of you even have this problem, got your parents to let you play video games.

My parents recently made me cancel my Runescape membership because they said i spent too much time on it and didn't participate enough in family stuff. I live with my mom and my two younger sisters, and generally i don't do things with them because they do things i find boring like knitting or makeup shopping. I go out and play sports generally every day for at least an hour if not more with my friends, but just because i use my spare time playing a game it's wrong. I'm in honor roll and get all "A"s and "B"s, but they say that i could always do better.

I just recently picked up interest in playing Minecraft instead of Runescape once i'm forced to quit, but my mom refuses.

How did/would you guys reason with your parents? Thanks

 

My parents never really gave me trouble about it when I was younger. You could try talking to her about it? Prove to her that you don't spend as much time on it as she thinks.

 

Been there, done that.... Trust me, you're gonna regret all the time you've wasted on games when you realize they've really done nothing for you.
I used to spend hours upon hours a day playing rs, even when I visited family (which was frequently).
One of the things I realized that made me quit the game was how much my parents and uncles have to talk about (stories of their youth, experiences with other family members, etc), and that got me thinking, "man... what the hell am I going to talk about when I get older? All the 99's I used to have on a computer game?" fuck that. Ever since then I've focused my attention on music, reading, and spending as much time as possible with my family.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

 

The way I got my family off me was purely me making money online ever since I was 12 years old. Also try to say things like how your learning things on the computer that will help you later in life (being a fast typer, knowing your way around the internet, etc.).

 

Thanks for the prompt responses, you all! Its kind of hard to prove that i don't play as much as she thinks right now as we are visiting family, but my only cousin still at home plays games even more than i do, so i usually end up playing games with him.. really counterproductive. but generally at my house, i'm rarely ever at home as i'm at a friend/neighbor's house or playing basketball. I'll try once i get home.

Yeah, it's no problem! I just turned 16 and i'm going into my Junior year of High School! You have a valid point, i guess it is just kind of a time filler for me as i find it enjoyable and it really makes time pass fast.

 

I don't regret all of the time I spent on RS. I spent a lot of time playing it, but that was mostly during when it was good (started playing in 02, spent the most time playing during 04-early 07).

 

I literally tricked my parents into thinking I was learning instead of playing.
I had tabs and windows opened on things like scishow, vsauce, and other Youtube things where you learn.
I eventually started talking about the things I learned, like how the universe isn't expanding, but the fabric in which the universe lies in is expanding.
They don't trouble me anymore.

 

Make money off runescape and tell them it's more like a part time job that needs hours put into it but has a better payout than minimum wage.

 

I don't blame you man, it's really addictive, especially if you don't have any true hobbies (I'm not implying you don't have any, but if that is case, then finding some really helps take your mind off of rs.)
16 is about how old I was when I was fully hooked on rs (I'm about to be 19), and I can't stress enough how ridiculous I feel when I look back and realize how stupid I was to get so emotionally attached to a game. I'd get in arguments with my parents all the time over it. It's been over a year since I stopped playing, but unfortunately I think I may have set an example for my younger brother and sister. Seeing them on the computer/ipad/television so often makes me realize what my parents must have felt like when they asked me to stop playing on the computer so much. It's almost a kind of a sadness... but I'm rambling now, so all in all, it's alright to play video/comp games, but if you're parents are giving you a hard time about it, it's more than likely because they don't want you to waste your time.
Try and find other things you can do to spend the time. I picked up skateboarding again, started getting more involved with music, and even started reading (after years of never reading in your spare time, it's kind of hard to get into a book, but once you manage to get yourself to do it, you'll be amazed at how quickly the time goes by; trust me on that lol).
Oh and never put family second! You've had them all your life, they care about you (I know, sometimes it feels like they don't, but everyone goes through that, so don't worry), and you're going to want to be as close to them as you can because if anything should happen in the future, they'll be the ones you can always go to.
It sounds cheesy, but it's the truth


Damn... Just noticed how big my post was

 

Thanks T V, that was actually really helpful!

I think i'll definitely take your advice, maybe just take a break off of the constant computer usage and try out some other things. My mom suggested trying reading, so maybe i'll try and find a good series to read or something! Any personal suggestions?
Skateboarding has been something i've been wanting to get back into for a while! I need to find some new trucks and bolts though, as i took my old Enjoi apart to try trampoline boarding. I have a few guitars lying around too that i rarely give any time to, maybe practicing a little bit could really get me into it.
About family, as cheesy as it is, you're definitely right. I try to stay close and do stuff with my family as often as possible. I should probably get a little bit better about doing things with them that aren't exactly fun for me though. I'm pretty bad at that. :laugh:

 

You just have to talk to them, don't be rude, do it in a calm way, make a sort of deal with them for example, You get to use the computer 3 hours but you have to help in the house or read a book for a while everyday, etc. It's easy, just talk to them

 

Make a presentation on why they should allow you to play them, use these main topics.

• Video games teach problem solving
• Video games are social
• Video games provide positive reinforcement
• Video games teach strategic thinking
• Video games build teamwork
• Video games improve hand-eye coordination
• Video games bring families together
• Many games nurture logical skills

 

Well, most of what I read is history and science, so I dunno if that's what you're into lol. And skateboarding is a super relaxing thing for me, though I usually have to go out at night because the temperature's scorching during the day. Plugging in some music and cruising around the neighborhoods for a couple of hours really mellows me out, almost like a high. I think I actually prefer skating at night. Every thing's much more calm and cooler, it really you just gotta watch out for the occasional car.
The guitar's been a hobby of mine since I was 12, but it wasn't until this past fall that I began taking it seriously and really start putting effort into composing songs. It was actually after I listened to this album



check out the whole thing, maybe it'll inspire you too ^_^


Personally, I don't think that when you spend time with your family, you should have to do things that aren't fun for you. Try thinking of things you could all enjoy. It might not be what you're used to, but that's life, ya know? Trying different things.



Best of luck with everything!

 

Personally my family never told me i couldn't play, they never tried to limit me on it or anything.
My advice to you would be to talk it out. Probably your best option, if not your only option

 

Make a deal with them. Limit yourself and play under the terms that you would clean the house or something afterwards. You should play little at least if you want to enjoy yourself while you're still in your childhood. When kids at that age are let free to play as much as they want, they usually end up emotionally attached which brings their marks in school down, etc. They always regret playing so long afterwards anyways when they're older. You're somewhat lucky. Arrange a deal with them and really limit yourself from playing your childhood away on such a useless game. Be proactive.

 

That really makes me rethink playing video games myself. :S

 

My parents tell me every now and then I should go outside because (especially during the holidays), I'm spending quite some time each day on the pc (so are most of my friends).


I'm 16 now, and back when I was younger it was actually fun to go outside, play soccer etc.

The reason I don't go outside and hang out that much is because I don't see the purpose of sitting on a bench with a few friends talking about stuff when I can have the same conversation on Skype.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a total nerd I like hanging out with friends I just prefer being inside.

Plus when I hang out with friends I usually end up doing stupid things out of boringness, so yeah...

OT:Tell your parents your not just staring and clicking lifeless on your pc all day, you actually learn quite a bit from using the internet and playing games.

I'm from the Netherlands and I'm (together with a friend who has also spent countless hours on rs) by far the best in my english class, I have the best grades and I'm the best at grammar so I didn't only enjoy playing RS, I've also learnt from it without really knowing it.

 

That guy is so right!

 

Learn a real life skill related to computing and have something to show for it - Programming or design are great options

 

1. Start smoking weed.
2. Start drinking beer.
3. Get a few tattoos/piercings.
4. Tell your mother "this is your fault, you didnt give me enough freedom so now i must rebel!"

As a young teen i started doing all this, at the age of 13, not because I didn't have enough freedom, but because thats what I was raised around (not weed tho, the drugs is an acquired taste, just drinkin/tattoos/piercings/etc) But I've had friends with stuck up parents like yours and the whole rebel thing got the stick right outta mommy and daddy's asses.

You can still play games alot and make memories, just mix it up!!! I usually play runescape all day long but, anytime a friend calls and says "hey i just got a bag" or if i get a chance to make some money and get my own happy grass I'm all over it. Just dont let the game become more important than your friends, family, especially not your ol lady if u got one, prolly not as your only 16.... at that age you shud prolly have tricks and bitches not an ol lady, but hey idk your life story so blah blah. Just make memories, but enjoy ur gamin too! I got plenty of stories to tell, hell if you go thru these threads and find the one about "worst injuries" you can see pictures of what I looked like after gettin fucked up on PCP and attackin a couple guys that tried to sell me fake pot and ended up hittin me with their car. I got a million stories, a million memories, and I've forgotten more than most people my age have learned. I know for a fact you can spend 2 - 3 days doing nothing but RS, and still go out on the 3rd or 4th day and make memories/scars for life that you'll be able to talk about for many years to come.

(Tho I quoted TV here, I am not speaking to TV I'm still speaking to ignition, but about TV's post.)


But also, as I think I finally found a real full-time job, I wont be playing any games near as much. As my xbox is broken and me an my ol lady only play the wii once and awhile. I do plan on keeping up the runescape play tho, just alot less time than I do. Also, if you chose to go the route TV suggested and just quit it, then you could prolly find someone to buy your account on this site for sum real $$$ if its got good stats.