balancing act

[Cubit]

Hey guys. I've been a lurker around here for awhile, and just thought I'd ask a pretty random question. Those of you with wives and families, how do you balance those responsibilities and work with your gaming hobby? My wife isn't a gamer, so i need to respect that, but I'm into it pretty heavily. What do ya think?

[MikeVic]

Drop the controller and bang the wife!

[rkmsuf]

rape the horses and ride off on the women

[thesloppy]

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[Flasch186]

what type of games are we talking about here?

[MikeVic]

But in seriousness, I'm not one to answer the question. Maybe having trade-off days where you do something you like (gaming) and she does something she likes (cooking a nice meal for you).

KIDDING!

But really, trade-off days... or finding a game maybe she'll enjoy?

[rkmsuf]

I'm into it pretty heavily.



ya think?

to have to ask that question I'd say you might be related to jbmagic.

[Lathum]

I use my laptop to play games while we watch tv at night, that way I get my fix while we hang out.

[molson]

Drop the controller and bang the wife!

You should be a marriage counselor.

I'm awe of people with families and whatnot. I wouldn't be mature enough to handle it.

[Cubit]

Yeah, I like that mikevic. I'm not talking about an MMORPG that eats up my hours into the night, but just some strategy and sports games that I like to indulge in.

[rkmsuf]

Yeah, I like that mikevic. I'm not talking about an MMORPG that eats up my hours into the night, but just some strategy and sports games that I like to indulge in.

so what's preventing that? battleaxe tell you to lose the video games?

talk to me, bro

[JPhillips]

What does "into it heavily" mean, and are there confrontations between you and your wife that led you to ask this question?

[MikeVic]

Yeah, if you like to play those games that you can save you progress, I would think that you can find time once a week in the evening sometime to play?

But maybe you're like me, and you go long stretches of not playing games... and then when you start playing something that draws you in, you want to keep on playing for long periods... which is kind of hard with other responsibilities.

[Cubit]

It really hasn't been a problem, I was just more curious into what others have done in similiar situations. She is actually very understanding, but since I'm an introvert, and she is more extroverted, when I'm having fun at the PC she can be bored out of her mind. :)

[BrianD]

Hey guys. I've been a lurker around here for awhile, and just thought I'd ask a pretty random question. Those of you with wives and families, how do you balance those responsibilities and work with your gaming hobby? My wife isn't a gamer, so i need to respect that, but I'm into it pretty heavily. What do ya think?

Gaming will probably suffer. Hopefully with work and a family, games should be less important. Your gaming time will probably have to include some kind of compromise. If your wife likes a type of TV program that you don't like, let her watch that while you play games. Or help her find some activities she likes to do outside of the house and play while she is away. Couples don't have to spend all of their time together and it is easier to be apart if you are both doing things you enjoy. Help her find a hobby and you'll have more time for your hobby.

[rkmsuf]

What's your gaming schedule? We'll send Pumpy over to entertain her. Please respond via Outlook.

thank you.

[Critch]

Just wait til you've been married a few years.

By then she'll be so bored of everything you say and do she'll encourage your habit to save herself the trouble of dealing with you.

[spleen1015]

I have a wife and 2 kids and play games about 6 hours a day usually.

I just wait until they go to bed before I play, usually around 8:30.

[Ksyrup]

Very little sleep. My wife usually goes to bed around 9:30 during the school year and 10:30 during the summer, which leaves me a good 2-3 hours to do what I want. I typically stay up past midnight, usually to 1 or 2am, to either do some work or play games, surf the web, find new music, etc. For whatever reason, I find that I can function on 4-5 hours of sleep without much problem (and no coffee). I'm up at 5:45 or 6am every morning.

My kids are also into games as well, and so is my wife. She likes those Chains-type games, and our 3 year old can now turn on the computer, put in a Dora/Bllues Clues etc., game and figure it out without any problem. And our oldest is now hooked on Guitar Hero (just last night we did the multi-player thing to Heart Shaped Box). So that helps, too.

[Cubit]

thanks for the tips guys! i'll probably be doing more of it in the evening. i've only been married a year, so its one of those things that I did a lot of in my single life, but have to modify now

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Very little sleep. My wife usually goes to bed around 9:30 during the school year and 10:30 during the summer, which leaves me a good 2-3 hours to do what I want. I typically stay up past midnight, usually to 1 or 2am, to either do some work or play games, surf the web, find new music, etc. For whatever reason, I find that I can function on 4-5 hours of sleep without much problem (and no coffee). I'm up at 5:45 or 6am every morning.

My kids are also into games as well, and so is my wife. She likes those Chains-type games, and our 3 year old can now turn on the computer, put in a Dora/Bllues Clues etc., game and figure it out without any problem. And our oldest is now hooked on Guitar Hero (just last night we did the multi-player thing to Heart Shaped Box). So that helps, too.

I think this is a great way to do it. My wife isn't a huge gamer, but I can get her to play games like Mario Party occasionally. It's a great way to mix your hobby with time spent with wife/kids. Bring over another couple and you can play with 4 players on Mario Party. My wife also likes to play retro puzzle games as well. I would suggest that you don't do this often, but it's fair to ask your wife to participate every 7-10 days for an hour or so. Just make sure that you reciprocate by going out with her to eat, have some drinks, dance, etc. If she feels like you're going out of your way to do some things that she likes, she's much more likely to do that for you every once in awhile.

[Flasch186]

Nintendo Wii

Guitar Hero

these are things she might like and enjoy WITH you....I know my wife does. this earns me time to play on my laptop in the family room with her around. While we're "watching TV together" she should know that Im not really watching the Bachelor or whatever other mindless show she's watching....but the close proximity is enough to ease her.

[Flasch186]

What's your gaming schedule? We'll send Pumpy over to entertain her. Please respond via Outlook.

thank you.

LOL

[Ksyrup]

This is one of the reasons the lack of in-game saves in NCAA 08 (and now quick-sim for PS2 :( ) pisses me off so much. It's damn-near impossible to play anything for an extended period of time (15 minutes or longer) without something coming up.

[Cubit]

I think this is a great way to do it. My wife isn't a huge gamer, but I can get her to play games like Mario Party occasionally. It's a great way to mix your hobby with time spent with wife/kids. Bring over another couple and you can play with 4 players on Mario Party. My wife also likes to play retro puzzle games as well. I would suggest that you don't do this often, but it's fair to ask your wife to participate every 7-10 days for an hour or so. Just make sure that you reciprocate by going out with her to eat, have some drinks, dance, etc. If she feels like you're going out of your way to do some things that she likes, she's much more likely to do that for you every once in awhile.

I really like that.

[Cubit]

I'm currently just a PC gamer, but maybe getting a Wii or something would be a lot of fun for both of us.

[st.cronin]

I eat raw onions. I get left alone to do whatever I want.

[Lathum]

It really hasn't been a problem, I was just more curious into what others have done in similiar situations. She is actually very understanding, but since I'm an introvert, and she is more extroverted, when I'm having fun at the PC she can be bored out of her mind. :)

tell her to get a hobby. You shouldn't feel guilty because you have something you enjoy and she feels you need to pay attention to her.

Unless your game play is excessive I don't see an issue.

[flere-imsaho]

My wife's not a gamer at all, but she really wants us to get a Wii. So, when I can finally find one for sale....

[Lathum]

I'm currently just a PC gamer, but maybe getting a Wii or something would be a lot of fun for both of us.

good luck convincing her to get one.

[MikeVic]

good luck convincing her to get one.

You haven't seen some of the stuff a Wii-mote can do! She'll agree to it.

[Lathum]

My wife's not a gamer at all, but she really wants us to get a Wii. So, when I can finally find one for sale....

really?

can you have her call my fiance?

our number is 513- no wii 4U

K. Thx.

[rkmsuf]

You haven't seen some of the stuff a Wii-mote can do! She'll agree to it.

ribbed for her pleasure?

[Lathum]

You haven't seen some of the stuff a Wii-mote can do! She'll agree to it.

I'm curious

[flere-imsaho]

really?

YA RLY. She also became a fan of Guitar Hero due to one evening we spent with friends who had it. I don't think she's a big enough fan to buy a PS2/3 for it, but I believe it's coming out on the Wii sooner or later, so that's good. :)

[Pumpy Tudors]

What's your gaming schedule? We'll send Pumpy over to entertain her. Please respond via Outlook.

thank you.
Oh dear. This woman wouldn't happen to be an accountant, would she?

[Logan]

Cubit...is your first name Ryan? If so, and you're the former Rutgers QB who transferred to Western Michigan, I wish you all the best in your strive to balance your life. You were a very hard-nosed player for us.

But Dear God, if you're his father, former Rutgers Offensive Coordinator/current Western Michigan Head Coach Bill Cubit...I wish you nothing but pain.

[Antmeister]

Wow....luckily, and I mean luckily, I don't have to worry about this. Recently Dodgerchick purchased BBCF and has joined a league in which we are competing in the same conference. I have been lucky that she actually enjoys games (although she is not crazy about single player roleplaying games or strategy).

Maybe the best bet for you is to try out a trial version of some MMORPG. It seems to me more woman gravitate to these types of games than any other. If that doesn't help, just do the things you have in common and have those things that you do apart and balance those out.

[Cubit]

hahaha, thankfully its just a nick you can rest assured

[JediKooter]

Don't forget to let her play with your joystick or she may find someone else's to play with...

[rkmsuf]

Don't forget to let her play with your joystick or she may find someone else's to play with...

Ironically your "get a horse" advice works in this thread too. that would keep her busy.

In fact I'm thinking "get a horse" works in most situations.

[Ksyrup]

In fact I'm thinking "get a horse" works in mosts situations.

Why do you think I moved to Lexington?

[MikeVic]

What if you car breaks down? Get a horse to ride.

What if your house is on fire? Get a horse to piss on it.

What if your wife if bored? Get a horse for her to play with.


You might be on to something here.

[Desnudo]

Get her a lover

[Young Drachma]

Cubit...is your first name Ryan? If so, and you're the former Rutgers QB who transferred to Western Michigan, I wish you all the best in your strive to balance your life. You were a very hard-nosed player for us.

But Dear God, if you're his father, former Rutgers Offensive Coordinator/current Western Michigan Head Coach Bill Cubit...I wish you nothing but pain.

lol

[Pumpy Tudors]

Get her a lover
We've already mentioned the horse. Isn't this redundant?

[Ksyrup]

Get her a Pumpy.

[finketr]

does she have a hobby that she likes that you don't?

i can't imagine how i'm going to handle this with work, school, family, and some games to let the mind relax..

[hhiipp]

I usually play when my wife and daughter go to bed. Also on Saturday my wife takes her to see her family, so I cram in as much gaming as I can into a few hours and on Sunday I take her to see my family and she does whatever it is she feels like doing for her few hours.

[path12]

In my case it took awhile for us to come to a workable solution. It's really just a matter of being there when she needs you to be there, and for her to understand that this is my hobby and how I enjoy spending my time. We make sure to spend some quality time together every day.

[Lathum]

We shower together. It didn't take her long to figure out the laptop doesn't work there.

[JediKooter]

Ironically your "get a horse" advice works in this thread too. that would keep her busy.

In fact I'm thinking "get a horse" works in most situations.

You're not kidding, a horse would keep her busy for a looonng time...

Now that you mention it, "get a horse" could work in a lot of places.

[Crim]

I usually play when my wife and daughter go to bed. Also on Saturday my wife takes her to see her family, so I cram in as much gaming as I can into a few hours and on Sunday I take her to see my family and she does whatever it is she feels like doing for her few hours.

Hey, Pumpy, whatcha doing next Sunday?

[JetsIn06]

I somehow am able to play hours and hours of games. My girlfriend used to be really into WoW, not to much lately, but there were times where me and her would spend hours playing on our laptops together.

Now, when she watches TV I will usually play some FOF on my laptop, and then when she goes to sleep, I usually stay up about four hours and play 360, listen to music, etc.

Anyway, her previous gaming experience makes it very easy. She understands my needs. ;)

[Danny]

You've only been married for a year, leave gaming for when it stops working, falls off or is unusable in some other capacity.

[JeeberD]

I get my FOF fix in early in the morning before work and in the afternoon before the wife gets home...

[hhiipp]

Hey, Pumpy, whatcha doing next Sunday?

Go for it, she's 9 months pregnant, horny as a dog in heat and to be perfectly honest the whole stomach + the thought of poking my unborn kid in the head over and over just doesn't turn me on.

[Ksyrup]

I usually play with my wife when my daughter goes to bed. Also on Saturday.

It makes sense this way as well, although I guess I read it wrong. :)

[MizzouRah]

It can be tough, but my wife is a manager at a restaurant so we don't see eachother that often. :)

[Lorena]

Hey guys. I've been a lurker around here for awhile, and just thought I'd ask a pretty random question. Those of you with wives and families, how do you balance those responsibilities and work with your gaming hobby? My wife isn't a gamer, so i need to respect that, but I'm into it pretty heavily. What do ya think?

Get her hooked on an MMORPG. Have you read BYU's thread about creating a monster? That's how Antmeister tricke... err, convinced me to play. I enjoyed it because of the social aspect of it more than anything but it's a start!!

[EagleFan]

thanks for the tips guys! i'll probably be doing more of it in the evening. i've only been married a year, so its one of those things that I did a lot of in my single life, but have to modify now

He could be talking about gaming or sex at this point...

[Cubit]

lol, thanks eagle, it does go both ways ;)

[MacroGuru]

Well, for me, it's kind of a take or leave it thing with the wife. She knew when she married me I was hooked on it.

I ran FbPro leagues for years and she knew it took time, but I had to learn to dial it back on my own.

One thing she likes, is if I can pause what I am doing, and help her out in that moment...it gives me major kudo points.

[path12]

but I had to learn to dial it back on my own.

One thing she likes, is if I can pause what I am doing, and help her out in that moment...it gives me major kudo points.

+1

[GrantDawg]

Wow....luckily, and I mean luckily, I don't have to worry about this. Recently Dodgerchick purchased BBCF and has joined a league in which we are competing in the same conference. I have been lucky that she actually enjoys games (although she is not crazy about single player roleplaying games or strategy).

Maybe the best bet for you is to try out a trial version of some MMORPG. It seems to me more woman gravitate to these types of games than any other. If that doesn't help, just do the things you have in common and have those things that you do apart and balance those out.


That's where I am now. I used to play way too much on my own, but now she has gotten addicted to LOTRO. I would have nver thought she'd like it, but every night it's like "can we go kill stuff now?" I've never really been able to stick to an online game before, but it is a lot of fun to play with someone in the same room. We've been having a blast. We are both 35th level now, which is much higher than I've ever gotten in one of these games.