You see – our soon to be 11 year old is pretty much obsessed with video games – so much so, he identifies himself as “home educated gamer”.

This causes us an issue, because we don’t ‘get’ video games – despite pretty much living on the internet ourselves…and knowing heaps of folk in the games industry.

It’s taken us years to feel comfortable with his game-playing. We’ve spent ages making and breaking rules around the issue! We’ve also spent a long time trying to absorb pressure from family and friends about how it should be handled. It hasn’t been easy!

And finally, we’ve come to a point of understanding. He’s a mature, wickedly clever individual with a passion. He’s creative and innovative – and wily and manipulative all at the same time.

There hasn’t been one easy answer, and our strategy is still evolving and growing – like the bread dough I have rising in the kitchen. There are still many stages for it to pass through – and at the end, with some love and care and attention, the result will be transformed!

I guess what I’m saying is, for those parents who are despairing of this situation – have faith. In yourself and your child. Employ a strategy – and recognise it’s likely to evolve and change. Stay close to it – and don’t let it become a demon.

These words from Ken Robinson “The world is changing faster than ever in our history. We need to evolve a new appreciation of the importance of nurturing human talent along with an understanding of how talent expresses itself differently in every individual.”