A FAMILY JAM
Video games can bond grandparents, grandkids — and be a source of comedy,
My kids have a standing date with “Nana and Nani” — they visit most Saturday afternoons, just to hang out. Sometimes my dad will take them out for lunch or to Dollarama to buy trinkets. Sometimes they “help” with yard work or walk to the park. My husband and I show up in the evening, mooch a meal and take them home.
They have a similar arrangement with my in-laws. My mother-in-law, “Umama” to my kids, becomes their personal chef, whipping up rice and meat curry, appum (rice crepe) and coconut milk, and poori (fried flatbread) and potato. She slips them little treats — dark chocolate, plums for my younger son, a hipster T-shirt and candy for the older.
I sit on the sidelines of these relationships, which is fine with me. Every parent needs some space to breathe. My favourite part of being a spectator is the unintended comedy.
I love watching my digital native kids interact with my parents, who are immigrants both to the country and to technology. My kids keep them in the loop — explaining Clash of Clans, Minecraft, Lego and remote control usage in copious detail.
Lately, my father has started playing video games in an effort to keep up with my kids. He plays Wii Sports and New Super Mario on Wii U and he doesn’t last long. My10-year-old son silently takes the controller and plays for him during the difficult bits.
“Actually, I was relieved,” my dad tells me later. “I was just pressing the buttons randomly anyway.”
This generation-based comedy also shows up during gift giving. Recently my mom asked her other “grandkid” — my cousin’s 7-year-old daughter — what she wanted for Eid. “A suitcase,” she responded. “Why do you want a suitcase?” my mom asked.
“So I can pack all my stuff inside and my sister won’t be able to touch it!”
“I’m not going to buy you a suitcase. What else do you want?”
“An American Girl doll. I have $130, you can use that to buy it for me. My mom won’t let me get it myself.”
My mother would never buy a doll named after our Southern neighbours. Maybe if it was called “Canadian Girl.”
She decides to ask her older grandniece for gift ideas. “I want a membership to Animal Jam.” My mom has no idea what this is. She brings it up during Saturday night dinner.
“It’s an online game where parents keep paying for upgrades,” my husband explains. Blank looks from both grandparents. “Mom, you need to ask more followup questions.”
Mostly we stay out of it, which works well for all parties involved. Besides, we need to recharge for the next round of child-sized disasters heading our way.
“Now you see how hard parenting is!” Mom says. “But don’t worry, you’re doing a pretty good job.”
Even though they’re completely biased, I appreciate the vote of confidence.
“It’s because we raised you well,” she adds.
No arguments here. Thanks Umama, Nani and Nana.