#45: Your Teenager and Gaming; Is There A Problem? And What If There Is?

Does your teenager dream of making millions by playing video games? Streaming to millions of adoring fans and landing huge sponsorship deals? Do they play on an e-sports team or dream of going to a top e-sports college? No doubt our job as moms got a little harder when gaming became a “sport” or something you could make millions of dollars doing. The argument that they’re “practicing” or “working” when asked to shut down the game and go to bed has become all too common. And even if they don’t have those lofty aspirations, gaming can still become all-consuming for many teenagers and can cause plenty of friction in the family. How do you know when enough is enough? Does their single 8-hour bender of Fortnight indicate a real problem? An (gulp) addiction even? If you’re threatening daily to throw the gaming console into a wood chipper, is that just your issue? Should you just buy a headset and learn to play Call of Duty and chill? This week I’m talking to Jeremy Edge, a licensed professional counselor specializing in problematic screen use…including gaming. We discuss all things gaming including boundaries, when you should worry, and what you should do if there’s a real problem. Jeremy's online courses for Parents and Video Game Players, Summer Program, and tons of resources. Show Notes and TranscriptFind our FREE Parenting Guides Here "I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!Thank you in advance for helping me help more parents!I drop new episodes every Tuesday and Friday so please tap Follow on the main episode page, so they’ll be ready for you in your app. You can reach out to me with ideas for the show or guest suggestions here. Thanks so much for listening!3-Session Coaching Package - 3, hour-long one-to-one coaching sessions with me, Ann Coleman to help you through whatever issues you are currently expereincing with your teenager. 1-hour of One-to-One Coaching - If you just need a quick, 1-hour coaching session to figure out a specific issue with your teen, book a call with me.Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!Check out the podcast on YouTube!Email Ann at [email protected] Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram  Read ...