For this Gamer Dad, a Simple Cup of Coffee Changed the Parenting Game Forever

#ShouldBeOnACoffeeMug Folgers Coffee Mug

One of my favorite quotes of all time was penned by Oscar Wilde. “Life is too important to be taken seriously.” Well, I think Oscar would be proud to know that I’m only aware of his quote because it was on the side of my favorite coffee mug.

I try to live by those words in everything I do. Unfortunately, some things get serious real fast. Especially once you become a father.

I’ve got two amazing boys. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of raising them so far. They can differentiate characters between the DC and Marvel Universes. They bleed pinstripes as all good Yankees fans should. And they appreciate the brilliance behind the early seasons of The Simpsons.

But at some point along the way, things took a very dark turn. Yes there were tears. Okay, they were mine. But still there were tears. And I never looked at my children the same way again.

Yes, I’m of course talking about… video games. Jason must’ve been 3 years old when he played his first video game and it was Mario Kart: Double Dash. All he did was sit on my lap and hit buttons to throw turtle shells while I tried not to drive us off a cliff. But he got his first taste then and never stopped. Ryan clearly joined in when he was old enough to hold a controller. And from there, things kept going.

At first I was so excited that my kids were into video games. Sure they played a lot of the more family friendly types of games, but games they still were. And then it happened. Much like sports dads who finally lose a game of 1-on-1 to their sons… I was quickly schooled by my boys.

Halo. Mario Kart. Punch-Out. Madden. Name your poison and they can finish me off like a Boss.

Or to put it in old school gamer terms… they keep beating my high score!

Folgers

Thankfully I have a powerful weapon these days to fight their Nintendo Thumbs. It’s a rather offbeat weapon, but a reliable one nonetheless. It’s my new BFF and its name is Folgers® Coffeehouse Blend.

Uh, say what now? Coffee? How can coffee take down the manic speed and hand/eye coordination of a tween and teen these days? Simple. It’s the ultimate parenting fuel!

Mario has his Power-Up mushrooms. Popeye has his spinach. And this dad has his Folgers Coffeehouse Blend!

Folgers coffee mug #ShouldBeOnACoffeeMug

See as a parent I have a huge super power. I get to stay up way past the kids’ bedtime! So while they’re off dreaming of sugarplum fairies (or Princess Peaches?), I’m down in the basement practicing my game. I’m burning the midnight oil and stepping up my game.

But man, it’s exhausting. I work a full-time job, blog on the side and also have to keep up with the kids. There just always seems to be a school concert or flag football game to go to. That means I’m pretty wiped at night, but I can’t give in. I can’t go to bed. So I call up my BFF and pour myself a steaming hot cup of Folgers Coffeehouse Blend.

Folgers coffee mug #ShouldBeOnACoffeeMug

What’s neat about Folgers Coffeehouse Blend is that the real coffee taste shines through no matter what you add to it. Sugar. Cream. Butter. (!?!) You name it. Me? I just like adding a splash of milk and that’s it. So me and my hot mug of coffee spend the evenings leveling up.

Of course the only problem with staying up late playing video games on a school night is that, yeah, I have to get up super early for work.

Folgers coffee mug #ShouldBeOnACoffeeMug

Well, guess what? My good buddy is waiting there for me to help get a new day started. And like all good parents, I’ve trained my kids to “fetch daddy’s coffee” while I catch up on the important news of the day. And by news, I mean sports. When I’m done, I’m all fueled up for a full day of work, parenting and then gaming!

coffee mug Folgers

Even better, there are a variety of ways to get yourself some Folgers Coffeehouse Blend. From K-cups to coffee grinds, these guys have got you covered.

Now, as much as I love starting the day with a hot cup of coffee, I think I like Iced Coffee even more! And with Folgers Coffeehouse Blend you actually have a slew of brewing methods at your disposal. Five methods to be precise: French Press, Iced Coffee, Coffee Maker, Cold Brew and Pour Over. I’ve never had French Press or Cold Brew coffee before, but you better believe I’m up for giving them a try.

In fact, this summer is the perfect time to try changing up my coffee habits. I may just swap out my normal cup of brewed coffee for a Cold Brew. The hot summer days are a perfect time to explore new routines. At the very least, it’ll make for a refreshing Father’s Day! Actually, that’s a great idea for a Father’s Day gift. Get the dad in your life a suite of Folgers Coffeehouse Blend, along with a variety of creamers, sweeteners, coffee mugs, and even a new French press, while you’re at it.

Whether you need some fuel to keep up with your rambunctious kids or to keep yourself going into the wee hours of the morning as you up your game, give Folgers Coffeehouse Blend a shot. With so many brew methods to choose from, you’re bound to win big no matter how you take your coffee.

What would you put on your own coffee mug?
#ShouldBeOnACoffeeMug

Folgers coffee mug #ShouldBeOnACoffeeMug

Learn more about coffee brewing traditions

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This is a sponsored post on behalf of J. M. Smucker Company. I received compensation for this post; however, all opinions stated are my own.

10 thoughts on “For this Gamer Dad, a Simple Cup of Coffee Changed the Parenting Game Forever”

  1. I’m not very good at video games myself, I do try just because my oldest son is so in to them, but I really can’t keep up. So, it’s not hard for my son to beat my high score at anything!

    If you love coffee you have to try french press! My friend is obsessed with coffee and only brews hers in a french press and it is the best coffee I’ve ever tasted!

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  2. My idea of a good video game is the “pong” game (from Atari, was it?) that I first saw in 1976. I was fascinated. I still am. What would go on my cup? Hmmm…G-rated, hard to say…how about “Tomorrow is my Birthday!!” – because it is!

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  3. I particularly like the “Sorry I beat your high score” mug. I think it’ll be particularly funny as the kids keep growing up and legitimately start beating all your scores…and being smug about it of course 🙂

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  4. I am glad you get a boost from the Folgers Coffee in your mug. I guess I never grew up enough to drink coffee. I put hot tea in my mug.

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  5. My favorite mug said ‘not a morning person’ and I can appreciate your efforts to keep up with your kids. Great writing . Lots of fun to read. Just hope you get enough rest to keep going lol.

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  6. I just love your posts! So funny..and REAL. BTW that is a nice coffee cup collection! I have a interesting one too. Maybe I will post it some day lol..maybe. My fiance’ is a gamer too. And we only drink Folgers. He is a HUGE fan of Assasins Creed and is on pins and needles so bad for the new one..especially since they skipped a year he got a Game Stop gc and is preordering. At least I will know where to find him.. on the couch LOL Hope you have a nice Father’s Day Andrew!

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  7. You write some of the best posts. Kids are slaying us in video games. In our oldster defense though, we didnt exactly grow up with them in the house ya know? Like I had to walk 5 ,miles UPHILL in the snow to put a quarter in….. OK thats a stretch !

    My coffee cup with have something Suess said, what I dont know.

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