Alright, wives, etc.

Let’s be honest, for those of us who aren’t regular gamers, sometimes the numerous hours our significant other puts in on the console or PC are mind-shatteringly, relationship-endingly frustrating.  We wonder insanely if they’ll notice if we chuck the PS3 in the dumpster while they’re at work; we consider hiding all of the battery packs/cords that power their controllers; we preemptively invent bizarre excuses just in case our mouses slip and we accidentally sell that Xbox 360 and all its games on Craigslist…

Alright, well, maybe that’s just me.  But I do know that a lot of time spent gaming on the part of one person and not the other can take its toll on any relationship.  Many of us would prefer that our significant others give up gaming altogether.  I know a lot of women who feel this way.  After all, don’t they love us?

Of course they do.  But look at it a different way; what thing that you love are they asking you to give up?  Does he demand that you stop shopping?  Reading?  Watching Gray’s Anatomy?  In my experience, the answer is usually no (unless he wants to play while you’re watching Gray’s and you only have one TV).

So, I suggest attempting to compromise.  Maybe it will work, maybe not.

Note: if your gamer isn’t willing to make a reasonable compromise and other areas of your life, like your marriage and children, are being neglected, you have deeper problems than I’m attempting to address with this blog.

Compromise #1:  Play.

You want time?  Do it his way.  The thought of playing video games may make you want to scratch out your eyeballs, but it will also give you a little more insight into your partner.  So you’re bad at it, so what?  Winning against you isn’t going to put him in a bad mood.  If his FPS (first-person shooter) really isn’t your thing, see if he’ll bust out something you might be into, like LittleBig Planet or Wii Sports.  Maybe if you take a few minutes to show him that what’s important to him is important to you (more or less), he’ll be more willing to turn off the game when the time comes.

Compromise #2: Try a different kind of game.

If quality time is what you’re after, board, card, or outdoor games are a good way to meet your gamer in the middle (of course, this depends on what kind of gamer you have, some hate other types of games).  He still gets to be competitive and play something, you get more of his attention.  Will and I are currently into the card game Monopoly Deal.  Google it.  If the weather is good, a one-on-one ball game has the added bonus of getting you both outside and breathing fresh air.  If you’re both too competitive and playing against each other will cause irreparable harm to your relationship, have some friends over for a game night and play against them instead of each other (same goes for #1, play cooperatively or online against other people).

Compromise #3: Offer an alternative.

So you’ve only got one TV and Gray’s is on, but husband is also in the middle of slashing his way through a horde of Flood.  Offer to give him a shoulder rub, back scratch, or whatever else works for you guys while the show is on.  Stuff like this takes minimal effort, will usually get them to turn off the game, and leaves your attention free to watch the show you want.  I’ve even gotten him to watch multiple episodes of What Not to Wear with this method.  It works.

So next time. before simply demanding that he turn off the game, give these things a try.  If all else fails, you can always seduce him.  Good luck!