The Parental Cheat Sheet:

After my last post I felt that some parents just are being out smarted by their kids as kids know their media well and have the upper hand. Having an niece and nephew whom may one day go gaming nuts I feel this is a good time to express the benefits of a Parental Cheat Sheet. So parents out there take some notes or fire your printers up now. Kids are media strong and you don't always have the time to check out a game or research it before your kids get ahold of it so please use the following to level the playing field in your favor.

• If there is a question check the ESRB ratings this will give you a strong handed approach to what may be in the game. I say strong handed because well sometimes the rating may be a little high for what may show for 20 seconds or less.
• Always look to see if there is a Demo. If there is a demo download it and play when the kids go to bed or with the kids depending on age. This will give you a nice cross section of gameplay and detail of the game. From this you can determine if this is a game you want your kids playing.
• Just because it's cartoony does not mean it's kid friendly. If something is questionable simply take a moment to watch a video of it on You Tube or even off the game networks. You may see why your kids want it and what they may be trying to slide past you.
• Take a moment to make an informed decision. Which simply means don't "Ask the guy at gamestop" when purchasing or even the people at Walmart. Just because someone sells the game does not mean they know it. Look into some ratings and reviews online or any of the above. Some idiot 17 year old clerk may not have your kids best interest in mind.
• Learn some of the game details. Is it all blood and guts or is it a story that is mostly fantasy. Don't just take your kids word for it and learn something. You don't want to blame a game for something your kid did while you were not looking.

Now I'm sure some of the younger gamers out there may be cursing my name or even thinking how I'm screwing them over here. Let me set you straight. This is the parental cheat sheet which can work in your favor. Be honest and really explain the game you want. I've stated the ESRB can be heavy handed younger gamers may be well of age for something that the ESRB has rated mature, and trust me not all kids want to play the games rated E for everyone. Sometimes they are just filler or crappy games. I am addressing both you the gamers and you the parents out there with this next list of necessities in gaming.

• Be honest and fair. Don't get mad at a game for something some idiot said online while playing with your kid. You can't control the internet or who logs into a game online.
• Make sure you know what the gist of the game is. Think of a game like a book sometimes a great story has some blood gore and adult themes but is a great story. It's all about focus.
• Understand Kids will be Kids. You may hear a lot of smack talk from your kids when they play online, but this is just the way kids are. If you don't like their language express it, but don't blame the game developer because your kid has a potty mouth.
• Take a free day and play the game yourself (I'm talking to you parents). Not only will this give you and your kids something to talk about but you just may find yourself caught up in a great story.
• Explain something that may be questionable. If the game uses something like crass language explain the plot and character, your parents may not like it, but if you explain how this is not just a guy cussing and saying nasty shit they will respect your honesty and you may just give them a reason to let you buy another game of the same caliber.

Now Parents whom have done the quick skim of this. Stop being a douche and actually read to understand. I'm doing this not only as a public service but to keep your ass out of a sling. You are THE PARENT.... ACT LIKE IT. I understand you're busy, but your kids are not only learning from these games, but from you. If you speed through something without understanding it, they will too. So realize that and when it comes to gaming and your kids you have the power to express why something is wrong. To save you the "Why did you..." later in life, take a moment and understand what is going on around you.
- William Dreimann.