Inducing Sudden Onset Fortnite Withdrawal Syndrome.

Last night it ticked over to 9 PM.

Both boys were on Fortnite.

They had been playing from about 7, so a good 2 hours.

I went into FamilyZone and moved both devices onto “Sleep” mode…

Sam did ok with it…

Hamish, however, did not cope so well…

He had been sick for the previous 3 days and I did not give them any warning that Fortnite was about to stop.

I basically induced a rapid exit out of the game world, back into this reality.

He was not a happy camper.

Suddenly he was angry and distressed.

He was not happy about brushing his teeth.

He was not happy about going to bed.

Even once I got him into bed, he could not sleep.

He had his “angry breathing” going on.

I gave him a back rub.

Got him a glass of water.

I ended up jumping into bed to comfort him and at least 30 minutes of moderately challenging parenting later, he fell asleep…

I took from this that this could have been handled better.

I should have set the expectations at the beginning of the session…

“You can play tonight, but Fortnite stops at 9 PM.”

I suspect it was a bit like in the movie Avatar when the General guy suddenly stops the neural link.

What I took from the whole experience was that I have to pay the piper somewhere.

2 hours of the boys engaged in Fortnite got my wife and I time to chat.

But when FamilyZone kicked Hamish out… There was a heavy price to pay.

This is like most aspects of life…

There is no free lunch.

In General Practice, I have to do the work somewhere.

In the context of the exams, if I don’t do the work, or don’t do the right work, or don’t have the right approach, or even not have the right support…

I end up hoping I will pass my exams.

Have those in place… I am confident I am ready to pass and become a fully qualified GP.

Of course, as in life, there are no guarantees, but if you are looking for a better way to get your FRACGP, then head to https://graduatemedicine.com/gpea now to find out more.

And, if you have boys on Fortnite, and want a way to control their usage… then I suggest you check out Family zone.

Even if it induces Fortnite withdrawal syndrome, at least you have a way of preventing 14-hour binge gaming sessions...