How do I bond with my teenage son? He only wants to play video games.

Thank you for your question, Chris. This is a very common struggle for fathers of teenage boys. At 15, the prefrontal cortex is still developing, making teens more drawn to immediate rewards like gaming. The key is to find shared activities that don't feel like a chore to him. I suggest 'parallel play' - being in the same room while he games, maybe reading or doing your own thing. Over time, he may initiate conversation. Also, set gentle limits on screen time, not to punish but to create space for other activities. Model vulnerability by sharing something about your day first. Bonding often happens in small, low-pressure moments. You're doing great by caring enough to ask.

Practical tip: Schedule a regular 'dad time' that's not about video games. Like every Saturday morning we go for a hike or grab breakfast. Just the two of us. No phones. I had to be consistent for a few months before he stopped resisting. Now he actually looks forward to it. Also, don't interrogate him about games - just offer to play together or watch him play. Sometimes they just want you to be present, not talk.

Man, I totally get it. My son is 14 and it's the same. Honestly, I had to accept that his interest in games is just how he relaxes. I started playing one of his games with him (I'm terrible btw) but it opened up conversations. Now we talk about strategies and he even laughs at my fails. Maybe try that?