First and foremost, to all the Moms and single Dads out there– Happy Mother’s Day.
Secondly, within an hour of waking up this morning I was inundated by several “10 Games Mom will love” or “10 Games To Play With Mom” articles. While some of them did offer a few great titles, most were just plain stereotypical, laughable and a tad bit insulting. So, to start this off right, I’d like to debunk some myths:
1. Myth: Moms exclusively play casual games.
Most of the lists I’ve read through today were comprised of almost entirely casual games! At first I rolled my eyes quietly and just kept on reading. Until of course, I got to the part where someone listed Nintendogs.
(Image Sourced from ReviewFix.com)
I really just don’t even have words on that one. To be fair, moms play Nintendogs, I know some that do in fact. My problem with this, is that Nintendogs was listed as one of the Top Ten Games For Mom. No, folks. Just no.
In case you don’t know what Nintendogs is, it’s a pet care simulation where you adopt puppies which are themed based on which version of the game you purchase. As an individual who worked for six years in an electronics retailer, specifically in the media/gaming space– I can tell you that the primary purchasers of Nintendogs are usually between 2nd and 6th grade and have Hello Kitty on their outfit. Please friends, unless mom really wants to simulate the experience of owning a toy poodle on her DS, and specifically asks for it, please do not get her Nintendogs. Just don’t do it.
One use of casual games in lists for Mother’s Day that I agree with wholeheartedly– Minecraft. Some people seem to forget that the Moms we celebrate on Mother’s day are not just our OWN older mothers. Society seems to forget the wives, and mothers of our children, sitting right next to us! Start up a server and work with your wife, your sister, or if she’s into it your own mother, and get building.
2. Myth: Moms really do want that new fitness game!
I’m going to make this one personal folks. I had a 9lb 4oz baby in December of 2009, and although I was a healthy weight throughout my pregnancy, I was not okay with how I looked and felt afterward. Sometimes I’m still not, as many moms can agree.
In the months after my son’s birth I occasionally mentioned that I would be interested in owning the Your Shape game for Kinect. When I say occasionally mentioned, I mean that once or twice I said that I was curious if it might be something I’d enjoy, or that I liked the demo at work. I chose not to buy it (a thing I discussed with my other half), because I didn’t feel it was a good use of money, and I wanted to try and get back in shape off my own motivation.
Cut to my first official mothers day, dealing with postpartum depression, and going through severe personal trauma from a court case against my childhood abuser. My significant other asked if I was ready for my Mother’s Day gift! Holding my 6 month old boy who had been up half the night, staring at mounds of unfinished laundry and dishes, I was ecstatic and said yes. He went to the junk drawer in our center island, hunted around a little, and pulled out an unwrapped copy of Your Shape for Kinect. Still in the plastic bag from the retailer we both worked at, receipt included.
(Image Sourced from Allegro.pl)
I burst into tears, and was overwhelmed by the idea that my partner too thought I was ugly, overweight and unattractive. Guys (or ladies with partners who’ve just given birth), unless you are a fitness focused family, or your lady specifically says: “I REALLY WANT THIS FOR MOTHER’S DAY, AND IF I DON’T GET IT YOU’RE IN TROUBLE,” don’t do it. When I told some close friends (also moms) what I had happened, concerned I was overreacting– the general consensus was that it was, not a good move. I can see how he may have meant well, but that being said:
Just. Don’t. Do it.
3. Myth: Moms are always proper and appropriate, and won’t like games that aren’t.
My family is unique in a lot of ways. One of the best is that we have 5 living generations. My son has a great-great grandmother living, and in fairly good health, and every generation between she and him. I was lucky enough to be raised in the same environment, something most of my friends couldn’t believe or understand. My son is also the first boy in all that time and more. While my grandmother is well known around our town for being buttoned up, and proper– almost never swearing, helping on town committees etc., she’s the matriarch of our family, and her favorite game is Cards Against Humanity.
After carting my game and all of it’s expansions around, I broke down and bought my mother a set for her house. At just about every holiday and family gathering, we clear off the dessert plates, make coffee, refresh wine glasses, and play until we realize one of the present children is way past their bedtime. (Note: youngest player in our family is a mature sixteen, my sister, who plays with my mother’s blessing.) Beyond that, my mother hosts weekly and monthly gatherings at her home, and a local restaurant, for friends– almost all of whom have kids of varying ages, and almost all have gone and bought themselves the game as a result.
*Warning the following image includes explicit/inappropriate words/phrases*
(Image sourced from Gomediazine.com)
Truth: Moms
Honestly, I think making a list of the “X Number of Best Games For Mom” is almost, unwise. I know for a fact that moms have varying tastes not only from person to person, but from day to day. I was raised in part by a grandmother who taught me the joys of Pacheesi and Boggle, and a mother who watched me play Kingdom Hearts for hours on end. One year for Christmas I bought my gram a handheld “Name That Tune!” and she got me Jeopardy and Burnout Revenge for Playstation 2– specifically to play with her. Today I’ve been asked to bring over a new game; Since Zombie Dice was such a hit at Easter, I believe today I’ll be bringing Fluxx. (Apparently they’re bored of Phase 10 and Skipbo.)
Happy Mother’s Day you gamer Moms and single Dads, enjoy yourselves and game on.
