I Played Fortnite With My Son, And Here’s Why You Should Too

I’ve been feeling a bit disconnected from my son lately. At 11 years old, he tends to keep his thoughts to himself—he’s always been a quiet kid, a trait he inherited from his late father. It’s been seven months since his dad passed away, and I can’t help but notice how his reserved nature has become even more pronounced. While his little sisters chatter away, he often responds to me with little more than a grunt, especially when I ask him to do chores.

He manages to complete his summer assignments, attends basketball practice, and rides bikes with friends, but let’s face it—like many boys his age, he spends a lot of time in the basement engrossed in Fortnite. Getting him to join the real world when he’s deep into that game can be a challenge.

So, I remembered my mom’s old advice: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” I decided to take the plunge and asked my son if I could play Fortnite with him. His face lit up as if I had just given him a lifetime supply of candy. I never knew such joy could exist in a boy who has been through so much lately.

I hadn’t played video games since the days of Super Mario Brothers on the Nintendo, so I knew this would be an entertaining experience. My son thought so too.

For the next hour, I found myself jumping out of what resembled a flying bus onto various terrains, inevitably getting eliminated almost immediately. My son guided me through the game, teaching me to break down cabin doors and loot treasure chests. He shared strategies for each location—Lucky Landing, Anarchy Acres, Tilted Towers—and attempted to show me how to survive.

I was so focused on avoiding the “storm eye” that I didn’t realize how lost I was. I struggled with the controls, often finding myself stuck in corners, swinging aimlessly at walls. Each time I fumbled, my son burst into laughter, especially when a gamer named Speckled Sauce eliminated me. “That wasn’t very nice,” I joked, relishing the moment with him.

It became clear why kids often tune their parents out when we shout from upstairs for them to turn off the game. I was so engrossed in sharing this experience with my son that I wouldn’t have noticed if a burglar had come into our home. It was a rare moment of connection with a child I adore, even if expressing that love can sometimes overwhelm him.

For an hour, my son talked more than he had in what felt like a lifetime. His laughter was contagious, and when he told me I’d come in 11th place out of about 50 players, I felt like I had won the game.

In that hour of gameplay, I was reminded of the lengths we go to as parents to reconnect with our children and bring them joy. Sometimes it takes jumping out of a virtual bus or running through bushes to find those moments of happiness.

If you’re looking for ways to bond with your child, consider joining them in their interests—like Fortnite. It just might lead you to the connection you’ve been longing for.

If you’re intrigued by other parenting topics, check out our post on artificial insemination kits or learn about the best practices in the field of reproductive health on IVF.

In the end, it’s all about finding ways to connect and show our love, no matter the format.