Κοnstantina Zoehrer

When I was 11, I used to play World of Warcraft almost every day after school. I was, for all intents and purposes, an only child living in NYC with two working parents. After school, I would rush home, hastily 'finish' my homework, and log online. During my time playing, I naturally formed friendships because we were all on the same level, striving for common goals, and realizing that collaboration made the journey more enjoyable, and sometimes quicker. Two of my closest friends online were a father and son duo who were fantastic to play with. They would always log on a bit later than me, but I always eagerly awaited their arrival. After many months of bonding over voice chat, we got to know each other quite well. What I remember most vividly about our time together was the palpable closeness between the father and son. They understood each other deeply and functioned seamlessly as a team, never making me feel like an outsider. One week, I went away for a few days. Upon my return, my online friends were nowhere to be found. Weeks passed, and a rumor surfaced that the father had passed away. It was the first time in my life I had experienced loss. I sent messages expressing my condolences, hoping to understand what had transpired. Eventually, the son logged back online. When I reached out, it turned out to be his mother on the other end. I remember the conversation as if it were yesterday. His mother revealed that her husband had been battling cancer for a long time, and it had ultimately overtaken him. Knowing his time was limited, he chose to spend as much of it as possible with his son, meeting him at his level as a way to connect. The bond between the two was extraordinary and has left a lasting impression on me. Interestingly, I know for a fact that when they needed a break from gaming, they would go fishing, to the movies, or play outside, activities they both genuinely enjoyed because of their shared interests and bond. As parents, in an ideal world, we hope to instill our passions in our children—be it Jiu-Jitsu, real estate, investing, etc.—hoping they will embrace these interests. However, that's not always the case. My friends would likely laugh reading this because they know how much I hope my son loves Jiu Jitsu the way I do. Perhaps, instead of fostering tension between parent and child, it's worth considering this duo's approach. Meet your child where they are. Engage with what they find interesting. If it's video games, then so be it.

City I dislike: Budapest City I find weird: Sao Paolo City I think is overrated: Paris City I like: Thessaloniki, Edinburgh, Prague City I love: Istanbul City I feel most myself in: London City I still need to visit: Tokyo, Seoul, Tbilisi