Quote From: fmrouseMy husband plays World of Warcraft from the minute he comes home at 3:30 pm to anywhere between 10pm-5am. We have two kids who he pretty much doesn't talk to and sure as hell never plays with. This has been going on for about 5 years with all types of online games. Our lowest point was in 2001 when he lost his job and spent nights on the game and days, when he was supposed to taking care of our son while I was at work, sleeping. I'd come home and my son's diaper would be so full it'd be hanging off or fallen off all together. My husband quit bathing, became a chain smoker, and our sex life was non-existent.
What turned it around a little was me trying to leave him for good. So, he joined the Navy and cut game time down to 2 hours or so a day. But, he's back to the all nighters. I cope with it because at least he is working and my now 2 kids have a decent life, albeit void of a decent dad.
Why is the game so important? My husband told me once that the game is his reality and maybe once our son gets old enough to play he could start forming a relationship with him. (He did try to get my son to play Everquest when he was 4 yrs old, needless to say it didn't work out.) He would also like me to get in on the game so our relationship will be better. But, what if I turn into him and then our kids won't have a mom, too.
Our life now consists of him being on the game while I take care of the household, the kids, and basically do whatever I want as long as it doesn't interupt him. I surround my kids with friends and family for a little male role modeling. And my husband comes out for holidays.
I'm not sure if this will ever change, but I've learned to cope for the time being.
Hi Neighbor, sad isnt it, but your life sounds like my life, and I dont think I've ever seen another one put it like me. Does he have headphones too? Mine sits with headphones on all night and is frustrated when he has to remove them to answer me, so I've given up talking to him and find myself talking to the TV at night, it doesnt answer me either? LOL. I laugh because if I didnt I 'd cry, and I've done enough of that. Everyone thinks it's so simple, well just leave then, it's not that simple, he has no other habits (other than smoking) He has a job, but I know why he plays, it is an escape from having not fulfilled his dream, but I also know he enjoys them so very much, I wouldnt care about the games, if he only played them at night ,and during the day , he spent it with the kids on the weekend, but it's not something I wish to fight over anymore. My 14yr is trying to take after him and that's all he cares to do as well in the winter, summer its golf or games, but I will not allow my child to turn into his father, he has to earn his time, by bringing home the grades, what he does on school work daily , allocates his time playing, but no longer than three hours a day. Now that may seem like alot, but I have to say, it;'s worth the A's and B's he's bringing home on his school work, he also has to do other activities or he cant play, I may not be able to stop his Dad from it, but I sure can stop our child. I dont want him to stop playing either, I understand his enjoyment, he works hard and deserves it , I just wish he would be interested in us as well, and maybe put some balance into it, but I have come to understand that I cannot change it, only he can, and I dont think he ever will.
