From Greg Enslen.com: http://www.gregenslen.com/tipp-talk-february-29/
Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen
Movie Night and Boys’ Day Out
Sam and I are always trying to invent interesting ways to spend time with our three kids. We hold frequent “family meetings,” where we discuss with our kids the plans for the upcoming day.
In the meetings, we try to include the kids in the decision-making process, reminding them that this is what adults do every day—talk together about their preferences and needs, and then make the decision that’s best for everyone. Those who take an active in the conversation get a say in how things are going to proceed. Cross your arms and pout? Then you don’t get to be part of the decision.
Sam and I also try to spend quality time with each child alone—at least as often as we can. Now that Katie, our third, is in the mix, it’s harder to do this. But we’re making an effort by having special events, like Movie Night and Boys Day Out.
Friday night is Movie Night, when Sam gets to hang out on her own with the kids. They usually make a meal together and watch a film, either something new the kids would like or a classic that Sam chooses. I think they’ve watched “The Princess Bride” maybe a dozen times. And while this is going on, I can sneak out and run errands, go to the grocery … or even catch a movie of my own.
Other times, I take over kid duty. This past Sunday, I took Xander out for an official Boys’ Day Out, a great opportunity for me to check in with him and see what’s going on in his life beyond our usual day-to-day conversations.
Here’s what we did.
Off to the Movies
We started out at the movies, seeing Chronicle. I’d seen this movie about two weeks ago and have been thinking about it ever since. The film is about three young men who develop the power of telekinesis after an encounter with a strange object. As the story progresses, each of the young men must decide how to use their powers—for good, for personal gain, or for evil. It’s one of the better “superhero origin” stories I’ve seen in a long time because the story is so organic and is told in such an approachable way, through the eyes of the teenagers themselves.
I also thought it would be a good opportunity for Xander to see how his “peers” handled the moral questions raised by having superpowers, and for the two of us to talk over it ourselves.
The Chaos Room
After the movie, Xander and I drove south of town to Kettering to check out a place I’ve been curious: the Chaos Room. For those of you who might be new to the column, I opened a “pay by the hour” video game store in downtown Tipp City in 2007 and closed it in 2010. At the “Big Robot Game Café,” kids could come in, plunk down their hard-earned allowance on the counter, and play the latest video and PC games (with parental permission) on HDTVs by the hour. We also sold candy, drinks, and merchandise, and hosted parties. Sadly, there just wasn’t enough business here in town, and in 2010, I was forced to close the doors.
But the Chaos Room, which opened after my store, took the idea and did it right. Xander and I were surprised to see just how much money the owners must have spent to create the atmosphere I was going for: a social video gaming center.
The most dazzling aspect of the Chaos Room was the gaming rooms – two very large rooms with projectors showing on blank white walls. Each gaming area had a 15-foot image of the game on the wall, along with four theater-style seats and their own speakers. The volume was low and was pointed at the backs of the seats, creating small, self-contained pods of video and sound that didn’t disturb the other players in the room.
I left the gaming areas thinking that maybe I had just not spent enough money on setting up my store—the people behind the Chaos Room had taken my little “Xbox and a couch” concept, and perfected it by dedicating a lot more space to it—and a lot more money.
… And Wings
Another thing that might contribute to the success of the Chaos Room (at least it seems like a success—it’s still open) was that it’s in a strip mall and connected to a wing joint. How much more successful would the Big Robot have been if it had been connected to Hinders? You could have let your kids play while you relaxed, drank a beer, and watched the game. Nice.
I was a little bummed after my visit to the Chaos Room—it’s like seeing someone take your idea and run with it and be successful. But at least I got to spend some quality time with my boy and learn about how life is treating him these days. And the wings and fries were pretty darn good, too.
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