If you have kids who love video games, particularly boys, you may have heard them talking or asking about some recently released games like Bioshock 2 or Mass Effect 2.  Don’t worry if you feel like your kids are speaking a foreign language when they ask you about games;  I want to help.  First of all, make sure you familiarize yourself with the ratings system for video games.  Just like movies can be rated PG-13 and R, games can be rated T (for Teen) or M (for Mature, 17+).

Second, use the tools you have at your disposal.  One resource I’ve appreciated is a site called What They Play.  This is a site for parents full of reviews on the games your kids are talking about, what’s in them, which games are good, and even games you can consider as positive alternatives to the games they want and you don’t want them to have.  You can reach the site at www.whattheyplay.com or by clicking the link above.