Deciding to make a change
Discussing pathological gaming habits with your child is not easy. No doubt, you have already had difficult conversations and arguments with your child about their game play. Addressing pathological gaming takes a lot commitment on your part and the part of your child. Weighing the pros and cons may help you make a firm, committed, parenting decision:

Pros: What are some reasons you may want to make a change?

Improve my child's school performance.	Improve my child's health.
Improve my relationship with my child.	Reduce arguments with my child over         game play long term.
Ensure that my child gets the experiences         he/she needs "offline."
Avoid more serious problems.

Cons: What are some reasons you may not want to change?

__________________________________         __________________________________	__________________________________         __________________________________
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Compare your pros and cons. Do you think that you see adequate reasons to initiate change related to your child's game play?

Are you ready?
Are you ready to help your child change their gaming habits? If so, the next few pages may support your efforts. If you think you need professional help, please see our list of additional resources.

If you are not sure whether you are ready to change your child's gaming habits, consider these suggestions:

• Keep track of how often your child is gaming.
• Notice how playing video games affects his or her life, relationships and mood.
• Ask for support from your doctor, mental health provider, a close friend or someone else you trust.

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