I wanted to let you know something about my family and Sundays in our home because they don’t look like the picture-perfect reels or the “slow living” posts you see online. They look like real life — loud, quiet, messy, funny, frustrating, and full of people who come and go like we’re running a 24‑hour diner.
Charlie and I do Church at home through a Bible Study we do with Mikayla. We do family dinner, not lunch. And as much as I want everyone to sit together, more times than not… we don’t. Because life doesn’t always line up neatly — especially in a homeschool family, a blended family, a working family, a “boys wander in and out” family.
But even in the middle of all that, we learn. We grow. We build. We show up for each other. And that’s exactly why we’re launching something new — something big — something family-powered. This is why the circle remains unbroken and that this is my circus and these are my Monkes.
⭐ Our Homeschool Was Built on Video Games, Movies, and Board Games
Not worksheets. Not color-coded binders. Not Pinterest-perfect routines.
Our homeschool was built on:
🎮 Video games — strategy, reading, problem-solving, consequences 🎬 Movies — storytelling, empathy, history, culture 🎲 Board games — math, patience, turn-taking, emotional regulation 🎧 Music — rhythm, memory, mood, bonding
Movies and video games have always gone hand-in-hand for us. If a movie taught the heart, the game taught the hands. If a game taught strategy, the movie taught empathy. If a movie taught courage, the game taught action.
This is who we are. This is how we learn. This is how we homeschool. And now, we’re sharing that with the world.
⭐ Why C Is Leading the Teen Track
C grew up learning through games and movies. He learned:
- How to focus with ADHD
- How to make friends
- How to communicate
- How to problem-solve
- How to calm down
- How to think ahead
- How to build confidence
- How to be part of something
Gaming wasn’t an escape for him — it was a lifeline. A classroom. A community. A place where he could be himself.
Now he wants to help other teens:
- Stream safely
- Build their own brand
- Budget their gaming money
- Avoid scams
- Learn real-life skills
- Think outside the box
- Keep the Circle Unbroken
This is his voice. His lane. His passion. His company in the making.
⭐ Why I’m Writing the Parent & Family Track
I don’t play console games. I play games on my phone. I love old-school Atari and Pac-Man. I want a Wii because it gets us up and moving. David plays Mario and wants a system for it. The boys wander in and out. The dogs pace. The house is loud and holy all at once.
I’m not here to talk about gaming. I’m here to talk about:
- ADHD
- Budgeting
- Safety
- Homeschooling
- Real-life learning
- Why we let C play older games
- How gaming helped him grow
- How families can guide without hovering
This is the adult voice — the grounding, the wisdom, the porch-truth.
⭐ Why This Series Matters
Because gaming is not the enemy. Gaming is a tool — when families use it with intention.
Gaming can teach:
- Strategy
- Reading
- Geography
- Money management
- Emotional regulation
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
- Confidence
Movies deepen the lessons. Games reinforce them. Together, they create a learning environment that feels like home.
This series honors that.
⭐ What’s Coming This Week
Teen Track
- Hey Teens — Welcome to My Gaming & Streaming Series
- Streaming Starter Series: How to Set Up Your Stream
- Budgeting for Gamers — How to Save and Spend Smart
- Safe Sites & Smart Choices — Crunchyroll and Beyond
- Gaming and ADHD — How I Stay Focused While Having Fun
Parent & Family Track
- How Gaming Became a Classroom in Our Home
- Why We Let C Play Older Games & What He Learned
- Teaching Money Through Gaming: Family Lessons
- Keeping Teens Safe Online Without Hovering
- How Gaming Helped C Build Friendships and Confidence
⭐ Call to Action
Subscribe, follow, and share this series with families who want real-life learning, ADHD support, budget-friendly ideas, and porch-truth honesty. Tomorrow, we begin — and we’d love to have you with us.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
