I never thought this would happen or planned for it.
Back when I was a teenager, way back, buried in dog-eared paperbacks of Asimov, Herbert, and Tolkien, dice scattered across the dining room table, I figured by the time I hit middle age I’d be expected to “grow out of it.” You know, leave the fantasy novels and sci-fi shows behind for mortgages and lawn care. At the time (the 80's), parents just didn't play the way we did as kid. Video games, roleplaying games, weren't their thing.
But here I am, a dad in his early 50s, watching Arcane with my 18-year-old daughter, dissecting Andor with my 16-year-old son, enjoying Avatar or Studio Ghibli movies with the both of them. And not just tolerating these shows, but actually loving them, together. Talking about world-building, moral choices, the messy heroes, the broken systems. The same kind of conversations I used to have with friends after a late-night RPG session… except now, it’s with my kids.
I’ve been a geek my whole life. The kind or weirdo who still collects RPGs (even if they’ll never all hit the table), hoards sci-fi and fantasy books, and stacks “Art of” movie tomes next to histories of ancient Rome, the Cold War and current geopolitical non-fiction. It’s always been part of me. What I didn’t see coming was that it would become part of "us".
And that’s a beautiful thing.
There’s something special about sitting on the couch with your teenagers and realizing they’re not just humoring you, they’re genuinely into the same stuff. That shared spark makes all the difference. It bridges years, generations, and even the occasional disagreement.
I don’t take it for granted.
I’m grateful.
And honestly? I can’t wait to see what we’ll geek out over next.
Probably the new Avatar this coming December.
Is this something you can relate to? Are you still playing or watching sci-fi or fantasy shows and movies with your kids, or your parents. Let me know!
2 comments:
It's weird, what kids take from their parents. I also played games with my kids when they were young, and they continue to be gamers, and THEIR kids are also gamers. I'm also a musician, but I could absolutely not get my kids to take any sort of interest in music. I think they were unwilling to take the time to practice every day. Gaming is easy and inviting and wants to let you succeed; it's a break from real life. That's one of the reasons I don't play games that are a lot of work; why have real life, then turn on the PlayStation and deal with more real life?
Agreed! I tend to want to play games that whisks me away from my day to day reality, in which there's a bit of complexity but not too much. Which is why city builders are a favourite for me!
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