A List of Video Game Emotions
I didn’t own any video or computer games until I was ten-years-old. This “challenge” did not keep me from obsessing over video games. In fact, my limited access to video games is one of the most visceral memories of my childhood. My access was so limited and I loved the play experience so much that video games triggered a lot of mostly negative emotions, in no particular order:
- Bliss, games allowed me to disconnect and it was heaven
- Embarrassment, especially when playing platformers or head to head games against other kids, I was terrible because I didn’t have any context or practice, if we were taking turns, I’d often have the shortest turn
- Anger, coming home from playing video games at a friend’s house, I’d be angry at my parents for providing no opportunity to play video games at home
- Jealousy, I was a jerk to other kids and my siblings because my time with video games was so precious, if I could get away without sharing I would
- Longing, instead of spending my time playing video games, I spent my time thinking about playing video games, to paraphrase C.S. Lewis in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, it was always winter, but never Christmas
- Loneliness, as a homeschooled, church-kid, my world was so small and lack of video games made it feel even smaller
I know compared to hunger or abuse having a few years of limited access to video games is a minor struggle. These memories feel so strong after such a long time, it helps define how I try to interact with children. I try not to be dismissive about the seemingly trivial things that upset a child. This doesn’t necessarily mean caving to every tantrum, but instead creating a vision for the future the delayed or denied gratification creates for the child. I’m no child development expert, but creating and sharing a vision is something that adults are in a wonderful position to provide in service to a child and regardless of if you're intentional, that is what you are doing with how you handle life. This phenomenon isn't limited to the adult-child relationship. The way we respond to struggles and the visions we hold influence everyone around us.
How did you develop your visions as a child?