So we're expecting a baby...
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HeapThaumaturgist
First Post
Note: I, myself, do not have children. My wife reminds me of this fact every time there's a baby in a store. (As if I'd forgotten: "Oh, man, I always thought we had one, but turns out ... that's a chair.")
One of the folks I game with here has kids (2, I think, or 3) and I know at least the oldest two game. They're all very normal people, not "geeky". I'm not sure how the kids came into gaming, but I know their dad has been gaming for quite a while, since AD&D 1e at least.
Of all the other gamers with kids, they're the only ones that I know of who game regularly. Most of the others, though, are teen agers ... and anything you want your teens to do, they're not going to do, because they're teenagers.
But your kids' interests will be naturally shaped by YOUR interests, and how you TREAT your kids. They're impressionable, but they're little people, as well. If you try to "get them into" gaming, you might make it something they think they need to be good at, will get intimidated by, and probably not like.
Think about how you, yourself, got into gaming ... what did your interest grow out of? Reading, fantasy, etc. If you read to your kids, they'll probably read, if they have access to the gaming, they'll probably get curious about it, especially during the times in their lives that they want to be just like their parents. Because you game, they'll probably game.
Plushy dice.
--fje
One of the folks I game with here has kids (2, I think, or 3) and I know at least the oldest two game. They're all very normal people, not "geeky". I'm not sure how the kids came into gaming, but I know their dad has been gaming for quite a while, since AD&D 1e at least.
Of all the other gamers with kids, they're the only ones that I know of who game regularly. Most of the others, though, are teen agers ... and anything you want your teens to do, they're not going to do, because they're teenagers.
But your kids' interests will be naturally shaped by YOUR interests, and how you TREAT your kids. They're impressionable, but they're little people, as well. If you try to "get them into" gaming, you might make it something they think they need to be good at, will get intimidated by, and probably not like.
Think about how you, yourself, got into gaming ... what did your interest grow out of? Reading, fantasy, etc. If you read to your kids, they'll probably read, if they have access to the gaming, they'll probably get curious about it, especially during the times in their lives that they want to be just like their parents. Because you game, they'll probably game.
Plushy dice.
--fje
Joël of the FoS
First Post
I have two kids, 11 and 13. Of course, they have been raised in a house where movies, books, etc. are often related to fantasy or D&D. They were exposed to all of this during their first decade. And I did tell them many fantasy stories. My daughter knew the type of breath for each evil dragons when she was 4 or 5 
When they were 8 or 9, I started gaming with them - simple kid stuff like who stole the candies or let's save the princess. Now, it's more mature but of course I do not DM Ravenloft for them
Assuming you're not a geek with a mono-obsession-about-gaming complex, the best gift you can give them is imagination!
Joël
When they were 8 or 9, I started gaming with them - simple kid stuff like who stole the candies or let's save the princess. Now, it's more mature but of course I do not DM Ravenloft for them
Assuming you're not a geek with a mono-obsession-about-gaming complex, the best gift you can give them is imagination!
Joël
scadgrad
First Post
Congrats on the upcomming blessing that's about to enter your home.
I've got two boys, Connor 3 and Liam 10 months. They're the reason I get up and go to work everyday. I myself am the only gamer in the family other than board games which the wife (and others in the fam) love. If at some point they become interested in gaming, than that's cool, but I'm not going to worry about it at all. Meredith and I are both artists as well, but we've no expectation that either one of them will ever take that path. And that's all fine and well.
So in other words, I don't think you need to foist any of your interests on them. I've got many, many different hobbies that I pursue and so if the boys (and any future children for that matter) develop an interest in any of those than I'll be elated to share that time with them. If not, well, maybe we'll find some common ground along the way. I'm just focusing on setting a good example, teaching them about God, the Golden Rule, and a love of country and learning. Read to 'em often and enjoy their childhood. From what I understand it flies by pretty quickly.
I've got two boys, Connor 3 and Liam 10 months. They're the reason I get up and go to work everyday. I myself am the only gamer in the family other than board games which the wife (and others in the fam) love. If at some point they become interested in gaming, than that's cool, but I'm not going to worry about it at all. Meredith and I are both artists as well, but we've no expectation that either one of them will ever take that path. And that's all fine and well.
So in other words, I don't think you need to foist any of your interests on them. I've got many, many different hobbies that I pursue and so if the boys (and any future children for that matter) develop an interest in any of those than I'll be elated to share that time with them. If not, well, maybe we'll find some common ground along the way. I'm just focusing on setting a good example, teaching them about God, the Golden Rule, and a love of country and learning. Read to 'em often and enjoy their childhood. From what I understand it flies by pretty quickly.
Silver Moon
Adventurer
Kriskrafts and I have three children, now ages 12, 10 and 7. We've put together and run a few games with them, which work best on long car rides. Each playing character is a 0-level child to help them better relate. Story plots do not need to be elaborate, just fun and require some problem solving.
Next fall my eldest daughter begins seventh grade and I've offered to run a Friday night game for her and a few of her friends. I plan to make it Harry Potter-esque, taking place at a wizard academy where each student will have two character classes, one of which will be wizard. I am using the Redhurst: Academy of Magic as a reference source. The most significant change I'll be making is to focus on only seven schools of magic rather than the eight in the player's book, as the term 'Necromancy' has way too many negative connotations in today's society and I'm going to have a hard enough time explaining to the other parents in this small conservative town that I live in without having to add that to it.
Next fall my eldest daughter begins seventh grade and I've offered to run a Friday night game for her and a few of her friends. I plan to make it Harry Potter-esque, taking place at a wizard academy where each student will have two character classes, one of which will be wizard. I am using the Redhurst: Academy of Magic as a reference source. The most significant change I'll be making is to focus on only seven schools of magic rather than the eight in the player's book, as the term 'Necromancy' has way too many negative connotations in today's society and I'm going to have a hard enough time explaining to the other parents in this small conservative town that I live in without having to add that to it.
Barendd Nobeard
Explorer
My daughter read the Narnia books in the summer of 1998 and has been into fantasy ever since. Narnia was followed a few months later by Harry Potter and she's been a rabid fan ever since.
My son watched me play, and then helped me play, Icewind Dale in 2000 (he was five at the time).
The three of us played our first D&D game in the fall of 2000. My daughter was 10 (almost 9) and my son was five and a half. We used the "Adventure Game" box set. Once we went through that, we moved into a couple of those "pamphlet adventures" using some characters they created. Eventually, I ran those characters (plus a few others played by their friends) through the first edition "Saltmarsh" series (converted to 3e).
My daughter (now 14) doesn't really play any more. It's hard to be a moody teen-ager and game with your father. My son still loves to play, so I'm running an entire campaign of classic 1st ed. modules converted to 3.5.
I think Phil Reed's comment is important to remember. If you want them to do it and try to "force" it on your children, it might backfire. Just game around them. Then, they'll want to do it.
We all play board games & card games (even my wife). But only my son and I play RPGs.
And don't be surprised is they "out-grow" it someday. It happens. But they'll have great memories and may be drawn back to the hobby for nostalgic reasons later in life.
Finally, Congrats! on the impending fatherhood!!
My son watched me play, and then helped me play, Icewind Dale in 2000 (he was five at the time).
The three of us played our first D&D game in the fall of 2000. My daughter was 10 (almost 9) and my son was five and a half. We used the "Adventure Game" box set. Once we went through that, we moved into a couple of those "pamphlet adventures" using some characters they created. Eventually, I ran those characters (plus a few others played by their friends) through the first edition "Saltmarsh" series (converted to 3e).
My daughter (now 14) doesn't really play any more. It's hard to be a moody teen-ager and game with your father.
My son still loves to play, so I'm running an entire campaign of classic 1st ed. modules converted to 3.5.I think Phil Reed's comment is important to remember. If you want them to do it and try to "force" it on your children, it might backfire. Just game around them. Then, they'll want to do it.
We all play board games & card games (even my wife). But only my son and I play RPGs.
And don't be surprised is they "out-grow" it someday. It happens. But they'll have great memories and may be drawn back to the hobby for nostalgic reasons later in life.
Finally, Congrats! on the impending fatherhood!!
We have a boy who's four and a girl who's almost two. I agree with most all of what has been posted so far.
Already I have suffered many bruises fighting with wooden swords (kids don't know how to soften blows like adults do). I have spent a long stretches of time (in four-year-old perspective) looking at the Wizards Art galleries and talking about the different monsters and characters pictured.
My wife and I both game, so I think that introducing the little ones into the mix shouldn't be too difficult. We'll have to see.
Already I have suffered many bruises fighting with wooden swords (kids don't know how to soften blows like adults do). I have spent a long stretches of time (in four-year-old perspective) looking at the Wizards Art galleries and talking about the different monsters and characters pictured.
My wife and I both game, so I think that introducing the little ones into the mix shouldn't be too difficult. We'll have to see.
pogre
Legend
I play Talisman, simplified D&D, and Warhammer Quest with my kids. The interesting thing is my 4-year old girl loves to sit at the painting desk with me and paint. I just bought $50 worth of 99 cent minis to keep her busy. We were working on the concept of dry brushing this morning.
My kids enjoy gaming, but they would rather go camping or fishing most days. And that's true of me sometimes to - just be you and your enthusiasm for your hobby will probably bring your kids along.
My kids enjoy gaming, but they would rather go camping or fishing most days. And that's true of me sometimes to - just be you and your enthusiasm for your hobby will probably bring your kids along.
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