Xbox Dad:

Unlock the Good Husband and Son Achievement on Mother's Day

Published May 7, 2007

I'm the Xbox Dad, not the Xbox Mom, but that doesn't mean I can just ignore Mother's Day. In fact, my wife recently said, "I'm not Xbox Mom, I'm Xbox Dad's wife." Uh oh. That made it perfectly clear that Xbox Dad's lifestyle only continues due to the goodwill of the rest of the family!

Ever since we've had children, Mother's Day has changed for me.  It isn't just about my mother now, it's also a day to show how much I appreciate the great job my wife does as a mother herself. Once the kids were old enough to understand the "Let's get mommy a gift!" concept, it changed again as I helped the kids to get their own Mother's Day presents. Of course, I'm still getting my own Mom a present on Mother's Day, and we'll have a great phone conversation, but it is the Mom who lives in my house that is the most relevant to the Xbox Dad life.  

Hey, It's Just One Day!
Moms are the most important people in the world, right? We should be showing them how much we love and appreciate them every single day, but on one special day each year, we get a chance to really demonstrate how we feel. We can rock their world and bump up our husband reputation for months to follow, or we can fail miserably and spend the next 364 days trying to make up for it.

It's one of the most serious games around. Wouldn't it be great if it were as understandable as an Xbox® game? You'd hit a checkpoint shortly before deciding on a gift, so there would be no worries about picking out the wrong thing. Blender didn't go over so well? No worries, you just saved! Reload to previous game and pick another gift! Do it right and unlock the Good Husband achievement.

Picking the Right Gift
If she was a gamer, I'd be set. If the Mom in your life is a gamer, this article will provide you with a great giftlist. Other great gifts could include an Xbox 360™ Elite (or at least a new black controller), or a shiny new copy of Crackdown™ for her very own.

If you are trying to find a present for a non-gamer Mom, there are still lots of options. Electronic gadgets (a Pink Zune perhaps?) are definitely a winner with some folks, and they give you an excuse to head into an electronics store. Standard gifts (er, call them "classic gifts," it sounds so much better) such as perfume or jewelry are usually well received. Personally, I go with flowers and a nice card. Whatever I pick though, it won't be the real gift, because the real trick to Mother's Day around our house is giving the precious "gift of time."

Time, Time, Time
With two kids running around, the most enjoyable gift I can give my wife is to block out as much time as possible for her to be by herself. The traditional child-prepared breakfast (perhaps served in bed after a bit of well-deserved sleeping in) is a definite requirement, along with gifts from each of us. Then, it's time to pack her up and send her out on her own. If you check out my profile online on Mother's Day you may even see me online. Playing online is a great way for me and Connor to pass the time while my daughter is napping!

Have a question or comment for Xbox Dad? Shoot me an e-mail or find me online!

Article by Duncan Festive Turkey Mackenzie