Why women need more play and leisure time

My journey from gaming to motherhood and now advocating women’s leisure

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” — George Bernard Shaw.

Before the whirlwind of motherhood enveloped me in its relentless timetable, I was an avid gamer, much like many of the young women I knew back then. In my 20s, while living and working in the US, as a designer, I found that many of my friends — both male and female — were passionate about gaming. After a day’s work, we would gather in someone’s apartment, immersing ourselves in video games, while enjoying a few pints and someone’s not so good cooking.

At that time, I was captivated by the intricate puzzles of the games, Myst, and experienced countless adventures in Second Life. Both of these games provided a sense of escape and adventure while I lived away from home.

As a Canadian transplant surrounded primarily by fellow expatriates from Western Europe, we often sought comfort in each other’s company, rather than venturing out into unfamiliar social terrains. Our countless weekend excursions to New York City were memorable, but it was during those bound evenings of gaming where the seeds of lifelong…