Dungeons and Dragons can very quickly go from hobby to lifestyle.  The nature of the game very nearly demands it.

If you play on a weekly, or more often, basis, then you are committing as much or more time to the game as many people commit to the religion.  This means that it is a pretty strong commitment if you want to play and get to the full depths of the game.

Managing this kind of commitment can be very difficult, particularly for the more mature gamer.  If you are still in school, not working, not in a serious relationship (married, etc.), and have no children, then this is less of an issue.  If, however, you have a full time job, a spouse, and a few children; time, money, and the ability to justify the expenditure of said time and money to said spous and children can be in short supply.

Here are a few strategies for dealing with the problem.

1) Find gamers in similar circumstances.  This is not always possible, and you may have to travel a bit further, but really it is worth the effort.  These are people who will understand and possibly even tolerate your children.  In my group the kids all play together elsewhere while the adults role-play.

2) Don’t force the schedule.  Yes you do need to have a set time, but more importantly you need to be flexible.  Your group may want to play every week (or every day), but if you start treating it more importantly that your family they will quickly begin to resent it.

3) Keep the schedule you commit to.  Yes, a contradiction of the previous point, but not really.  What I mean here is that if you are committed, then explain that commitment to your family, and keep it.  Treat the game just as you would treat any other serious commitment.

4) Manage your budget.  This is important not just so that you have the extra cash for books and dice, but so that you can put the cost of playing in perspective for yourself and your significant other.  If you are shelling out $100 a month for D&D then your spouse may wonder where the diaper money went.  On the other hand, if you are paying attention to the money she (or he) may be a little more supportive.

5) Finally, include everyone.  Make time for the kids.  Explain the game to them in terms they can understand.  get them some cheap dice and let them play around.  They may not have your level of interest, but everyone wants to be included and feel like they are part of what you love.

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