Video game addiction is real. I’m the first to admit my seven year old son is addicted to video games. If he’s not playing them, he’s talking about them. If he’s not talking about them, he’s thinking about them. It’s even gotten so bad that his second favorite past time is watching other people play video games on YouTube!

I could put him in front of the TV, place a controller in his hand, and leave for the day. I guarantee when I came home, he would be in the exact place I left him. Likely not even stopping to eat or pee. Cheap baby sitter for sure!

Some of you are nodding your head and sighing in agreement. It’s a daily obsession! I’m pretty sure he’s in the majority. Others are judging me. Questioning how I could let video games consume my child’s life. I promise you, his game time is rationed. He has to earn it.

I knew it was bad when my son asked if he could have a play date with Zack Scott. Innocently, I thought it was someone from school. Nope! His favorite You Tube video game vlogger. A late 20-something that makes a living playing video games. Imagine that?! (Hey Zack, I know you’re reading this right now, let me know when you’re free for a play date after school).

How did a You Tube video game vlogger become a household name for us? This cannot be normal.

We are constantly looking for ways to counter balance this obsession. Finding other hobbies. More outside play. Active play. Though I must say he’s pretty darn active while playing. I’m surprised my carpet isn’t worn through yet from his pacing and jumping around.

When we leave the house, he is not allowed to take his Nintendo 3DS with us. We actually keep it in our closet on a shelf so he has to ask to even use it. We don’t permit our kids to play games on a tablet or phone when we are out in public. I think it’s important for them to learn to entertain themselves when we are in the car, running errands, or at a restaurant.

We’ve even gone so far as to take forced breaks. Periods of time where no video games are allowed. This includes watching people play video games on You Tube. Crazy right?! I know, we are so mean!

It seems regardless of our limits, video games are all he thinks about! Tunnel vision direct to any and all video games. Maybe I just need to get over it. Embrace it. Support his habit. Help him develop some skills now that he could turn into a career later. Creating video games. Testing video games. Playing video games. Hey, Zack! In need of an assistant or partner?

I envision Gamer’s Anonymous in our future. How do other parents deal?!