Parenting a teenager can be challenging, especially when your son becomes a full-fledged gamer. My 13-year-old, Noah, had turned into a hermit, spending hours glued to his computer, eating junk food, and avoiding the outside world. After attempts to get him interested in other activities failed, my husband and I decided to take drastic action: we banned his favorite game. At first, Noah was furious, slamming his door and shutting us out. But soon, he started spending more time outside, even sitting next to his dad to watch TV.

However, one night, we discovered a scarecrow sitting at his desk—Noah had created a decoy to trick us while he snuck out. We followed him to the park, where he was sketching with a girl. This was a breakthrough! Our son was socializing, getting fresh air, and enjoying life beyond screens.

Later, the police arrived, concerned after our neighbor saw the scarecrow. We explained the situation, and Noah, embarrassed, admitted his secret outings. He even confessed to enjoying drawing and spending time outside. We reminded him about safety and communication, and soon after, we met Emily, his first girlfriend. Though he still games, Noah now balances it with outdoor activities and art, and we haven’t seen the scarecrow again.