As a parent we think we know what's best for our kids, after all we have many years of living on this planet and our experience shows us the truth about things, right?

Well, I like to challenge that idea, as I believe it is just an idea.  Our minds and actions have been limited greatly by conditioning and our perspectives, and though our experience may show us things that have proven to be true in our own experience, that doesn't mean it is necessarily so for anyone else!!

Gaming is one of those things that many parents seem to have a lot of worry and frustration about.  Sitting in front of  a computer all day is not what we have believed to be a healthful reality, especially for our children, even though MANY adults do it all day long, even here on Steemit.  I wrote about my experience with my son Carlos, who was a gamer as a teenager, and the fears I had to face to actually support his passion.

You can read about it in Part I of Parent of a Gamer.

Now I'd like to share with you about another gamer I know, and a bit from my perspective in witnessing his engagement of the game World of Warcraft.

@quinneaker was raised in an unschooling environment -- which means ideally learning his own way, in his own time, with his own interests, to be the person he came on this planet to be.  He therefore has had some incredible experiences that most people have never had, delving deep into his passions and getting the most out of every moment through the life of his own design.

I have known Quinn's family since Quinn was a teenager.  His mother was an icon in the unschooling community as she ran an International Conference bringing people from all over the world and all walks of life together to explore freedom in education and to rethink everything with some of the most influential cutting-edge speakers on education. 

The watchful eyes of this entire expansive unschooling community were on Quinn and his siblings, to see what would become of children if we truly honored their path and allowed them freedom.  Quinn, being one of the oldest unschoolers most of us have ever known, was constantly in the limelight, as the examples of raising children in such a manner were few.  I too watched Quinn, as he was older than my children, and I wanted to see what could become of my own choices of unschooling, a lifestyle that was very much against the grain of "normal" living.

What I witnessed was quite astounding as he empowered himself to experience life to the fullest.  
Here are a few of my observations of @quinneaker's choices
as a teenager and young man in his 20s:

• A self-motivated body builder, nutrition specialist, and health expert
• Up and coming high fashion model in LA
• Lived homeless by choice to experience life on the streets
• Lived in the woods in Alaska by his own choosing with only a knife
• Traveled (mostly backpacking and hitch hiking) extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad
• Sat in meditation for 4 years, attaining his full-life awakening and becoming an enlightened master

Quinn, having achieved and experienced so many profound realities, continued on his path of discovery.  He prayed to the Universe to show him true passion.  He had no idea that what would be presented to him would be a video game!!  Though it didn't seem likely that gaming would be an empowered choice or a revolutionary experience, Quinn followed his interest and delved deeply into the computer gaming world for a good solid 16 hours a day, uninterrupted, full force. 

Now it was no wonder that when the unschooling community heard Quinn was playing a video game there was LOTS of judgment.  How can a young man with such potential be wasting his life sitting behind a computer screen, with no purpose, no drive and no benefit to himself or the greater community? There was a lot of expressed disappointment that this is where the unschooling path could lead, and a possible huge waste of his human potential.  A lot of fear and discussion was raised about the gaming scenario, and we all watched with bated breath while Quinn held true to his passion, in spite of all the judgment, and rose quickly to the top of his league, creating many characters and activating opportunities for intense challenge.

I was close friends with Quinn's mom.  Quinn and my son were both gaming at the same time, so we had many many opportunities to share our insights and fears of the unknown. Quinn continued to play the game for a solid year from the time he awoke from slumber with fervent drive to play, until he could barely stay awake and on top of his game.  He literally lived in the depths of that gaming reality!  Quinn told me that there was nothing as challenging in real life as when playing, and that everything and everyone else paled in comparison to his exciting experience of WOW!

Quinn became one of the most valued speakers at his mom's and other unschooling conferences around the world, sharing his vast experience in a life of freedom, including his play in the world of games.

From my experience with my son and in knowing Quinn through the years, I have come to a few realizations:

• Playing the game to the deepest and fullest place possible, without worry about getting in trouble, being coerced away from it, timed or limited in any way, one can truly receive the magic of the experience.  Full on, moment-to-moment presence is extremely powerful.
• Organization, on-the-spot judgment calls, constant re-evaluation, rapid response, critical thinking, and awareness of multiple realities at the same time are all greatly enhanced.
• Intense, uninterrupted focus heightens that ability on other facets of this physical life as well.

@quinneaker is one of the most focused, inspired, capable, inventive and passionate people I know.  I believe that unschooling helped to keep Quinn's mind open and allow infinite possibility to enter.  His enlightened awareness of infinite possibility sparked his inspiration for creating the @gardenofeden, and playing WOW has been an incredible asset in his ability to not only implement, but efficiently and effectively run, this multi-faceted cutting-edge operation. 

Although I cannot attribute all of his strengths to playing a video game, I am certain, from first hand experience, that it has benefitted him greatly even years beyond his play, as he is addressing all the most important facets and ills of this world's existence through creating an entirely new paradigm, with many challenges, and the need for creative thinking, rapid recall, decision making and maneuvering through obstacles.

Immersing oneself to the depths of the soul in true passion is something that few ever really experience.  Surrounding ourselves with people who encourage and support our passions will help us build our lives on those things that make us feel alive!!  

Building our lives based on passion makes life truly rewarding.  

Just imagine being surrounded by people who are living their passions--
oh what a different world this would be!!!  

All things considered, what else is there to do?

Quinn is writing here on Steemit about parenting (as he is on subjects of great importance).

Introducing the Amazing Qiqi.  My First Born Daughter
New Interview with VoyageDallas Magazine
Introduction to My New Paradigm Perspective on Parenting and Education

Here are a few of my other posts on parenting and children:

What Can We Do Besides Disciplining/Punishing Our Children?
Disciplining Children - Questioning the Norm
Simple Joys of Nature - Living with Children and Mother Nature
Life In Community - How Does That Play Out For The Children?
No Shoulds, Have-Tos, or Musts - Growing a Life of Freedom - Empowered and Immersed in Unconditional Love
My Golden Steemit Best Undiscovered Author Award Winning Post - Imagine the Potential for Life If Children Grew Up With True Freedom In a World of Self Design- A living Example
Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 of What's Up With School Anyway?
Parent of a Gamer   I