Tamagotchi was a video game that many 90s kids will remember. It involved taking care of a virtual pet, and sometimes, it seemed needier than an actual pet. There are probably some valuable parenting lessons from paying this game.
1. Frequently check in on your kids.
This is the first and foremost important rule, or else your kids might get lost and die somewhere.
2. Feed them more than once in a blue moon.
Food is an essential thing to survive. Instead of getting into a habit with your Tamagotchi and only feeding them about once a week, try to get into a habit and feed them three times a day. That's how many times you should feed your actual kids.
3. Do activities with them.
Keep them busy, just keep them active. They might like that.
4. Don't let them have too much down time.
They will get angry, and they will have more time to think about how to kill you.
5. Make them have healthy sleep habits.
So, instead of making them sleep all day to do other activities, you can play with them all day, and make them sleep all night.
6. Keep your kids on a (hypothetical) leash.
I personally hate those backpacks that have leashes on them to control kids, but some kids really need it. Also, it makes sense since the game has a key ring on it, so it can always stay close to you.
7. Don't spoil them too much.
If you constantly spoil them with attention, if something comes up and you are busy, they will feel neglected. Give them a proper space.
8. Have them make friends.
If they make friends, you might be able to possibly pawn them off on someone else and someone else can take care of them.
9. If they are sick, take care of them.
This is why you should constantly check on them. Just letting them die and then starting fresh probably isn't the best idea.
10. Figure out their personality.
If you have a nice kid, you will actually enjoy taking care of them. If karma bites you in the butt and you have a snobby kid (or Tamagotchi) then maybe it deserves a little cold shoulder every once in a while, or just try to shape in into becoming a nicer creature.
11. Let it have creativity.
If it wants to be creative and have an imagination, let it be. Don't let it be like its parent and get inspired to write this article from an idea off the Odyssey Rejects twitter page (@OdysseyRejects).
Some of this advice can be directed to actually taking care of your kids, or taking care of your Tamagotchi. I want to start a petition for this game to make a comeback. Kids these days needs to know what these extra fun games are all about. Down with the 12-year-olds getting iPhones, and get on board with buying them all this game.
