Kids like to play. Is he refusing to do his jobs/chores? Is he willing to stop playing to have supper or to come with on family outtings?
My son is 12, and any free time he has he spends on games. I consider it normal, but if I tell him to go do a chore or that we are all going to the park he does.
I would suggest getting a game system and getting multiple player games with controllers, becuz then u can all do it together as a family. My son and my husband and I all play a multiplayer online game together every night for an hour er two..and it is excellent bonding time.
Playing a fun game is like reading an intriguing book...it is a pretend place to explore, it is a nice relaxing break from the stress of school and life.
Trying to ban games er take em away is just going to put a wedge between the two of you, becuz games are what he loves and enjoys.
If u get multiplayer games it can be like a movie u watch together where u all participate and do it together. The Wii has a lot of cool multiplayer games like mario, mario kart, mario party, kirby, rayman origins etc.
I have three kids, One is almost 13, one is almost 11 and the other is 8. They all enjoy gaming, some more then others...a gamer is like a book worm....except for some reason being a bookworm is looked upon as good but a gamer is often viewed in a negative light...they r both just spending time in a make believe world they love to enjoy and explore.
Maybe try to think of it as his fave exciting book, when u take it away of course he will feel hurt, offended, and misunderstood...it is a part of him. Embrace his loves, even if they are not yours.
As for guidlines u could try saying something like "Of course u can play ur game, as soon as u finish your homework" or dinner, or play outside a bit...or whatever u had wanted him to do instead...of course, if he is playing outside alone or his fam watches tv during dinner er does not converse with him during it he will be bored, and it is only natural for kids to want to play fun games. I bet the game he is playing is fun and challenging to his mind...if he has to match colors quickly or shapes etc ( I dunno the game u mentioned so just trying to imagine)
If u take away somebody's fave thing or tell them no to what they love u will be met with a negative reaction. It would be better to include his loves into your life and to accept him for who he is, but just try to guide him to not totally exclude other parts of his life.
My son plays 2-4 hours of games every day unless we are gone from the house all day, but yet he participates in other parts of life too, and does chores, and a lot of that game play includes other family members...good bonding time.
