I’ll have to admit that I got way too much into gaming. I bought my first real computer in 1981 because of a space game I saw playing on it. (Apple II) The one thing I was forced to learn over the years is how to balance life and computer gaming, especially World of Warcraft.
It started years ago when I was in college. After really struggling to keep my grades up I found a rule that fixed the problem. That rule was no gaming after mid-terms. Zero computer games, not even chess. That was way before World of Warcraft so it was easier to do. Nevertheless it gave me a foundation that helped when I started playing WoW.
You have find a set of rules will you can both agree on. After you get these rules you have to stick to them. You must follow the rules to the letter. If you are working out a set of rules then WoW has created some conflict you need worked out. That means you must build trust that you will follow the rules. That is unless you are smart enough predict conflict and work to head it off beforehand. I wasn’t.
The rules we agreed on are simple but it killed just a major part of WoW for me. My rules are surely not for everyone. It was worth the loss to me because otherwise I would not be able to play at all. Rosa really hates WoW; so it was good to find a compromise that worked for both of us. (She thinks it is the devils work.)
The big loss was not being able to raid very much. Most raids start after my 5 PM quit time. Even on Saturday most Raids take place in the evening. (The 5 PM rule is in effect.) Because of health issues (blood clots that almost killed me) it is better for me not to get into hard core raiding any more.
Rule 1. I have to have things done every day. Rosa told me to think of them as Dailies.
Rule 2. World of Warcraft play ends at 5 PM. That gives me time to get dinner ready and clean up the house before Rosa gets home from work.
Rule 3. Sunday is Rosa’s day. No WoW at all. We may go shopping, watch TV or just listen to music and read but it is her choice.
Rule 4. Fridays are ok for WoW but I cannot get tied up into a raid or anything I cannot get out of in 20 minutes or so. We do a lot of chores on Friday so I need to be free to help Rosa. Mostly I just set up Auction House and do dailies.
Rule 5. I get all day Saturday to play WoW. I mostly play with a longtime friend using Vent. Rosa will plan things that don’t need me on that day, such as hair appointments. The 5 PM rule is still in effect.
As you can see these are rules for someone with a lot of time on their hands. You will need to find rules that fit your lifestyle and gaming desire. The key is that you both agree to the rules and you follow them as much as possible. You can vary the rules or work around conflicts but you must both agree. Don’t beg or blackmail, that creates resentment. Work it out between you like reasonable adults.
Keep one thing always in mind. A happy marriage is worth far more than game time, even World of Warcraft.
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There are three kind of liberals;
Stupid, ignorant or evil
The result is always evil but the intent is not always evil. Not that it makes much difference in the long run.
No one here is exactly as they seem. - G'Kar
Although I've been told I'm a little too forthright sometimes...I think there's knee jerk reaction when it comes to gaming, people will still look at you weird, "
ou play games online?" "
