The Universal DMing Challenge
DMing is often likened to herding cats or managing unruly children, so a book on using DM skills to raise children makes perfect sense. That’s what Shelly Mazzanoble’s How To Dungeon Master Parenting: A Guidebook for Gamifying the Child-Rearing Quest, Leveling Up Your Skills, and Raising Future Adventurers delivers with a blend of humor and good advice. Whether you or a member of your gaming group is expecting a child, is a new parent, or someone who has been raising children for a few years, the book has useful information and is very reassuring.The connection between DMing and parenting is foundational to the book. Beginners at both never feel ready, no matter how much prep they do. Both DMs and parents are going to experience curve-balls and will have to improvise. Both groups are going to wonder if they’re doing things right and will probably be too hard on themselves. The DM angle could have just been a lazy gimmick. Instead, Mazzanoble provides really useful, practical advice with a dash of relatable humor while staying on theme.
From Starting Equipment to Ability Checks
Mazzanoble covers a wide range of topics very well, from the starting equipment you’ll need and putting together your adventuring team (i.e., having support) to what your DM style might tell you about your parenting style. She also shares some advice she received from her coworker Chris (meaning Perkins) on how to gently and discreetly steer kids and players toward better decisions—I now have even more respect for Perkins.. Whether you’re “Parenting at 1st Level” or a parent with a few years under your belt, you’ll find something useful and relatable in HtDMP.To help expectant or new parents set reasonable expectations, Mazzanoble provides sample “ability score checks” for common encounters. She also uses the six classic ability scores in D&D to explain how both parents and children will use each. Trying to hold a cranky baby, take their temperature, and open a bottle of baby medicine is definitely a Dex check. While humorous, this chapter is also a dose of reality, mentioning things those excessively cheerful parenting books ignore.
HtDMP even gives advice on how to introduce your children to D&D without trying too hard (kids can smell over-eagerness and desperation). After all, kids tend to be contrary, and some will decide they don’t like D&D just because their parents love it. Mazzanoble gives good advice on how to introduce kids to the game and what to do if they don’t share your love for the game.
Final Verdict
How To Dungeon Master Parenting is a great gift for any D&D player you know who just announced their expecting, had a baby, or is already a parent of a small child. The D&D angle will likely get them reading, and the quality content delivered with Mazzanoble’s humor will keep them reading.Rating: A
