No Dad, I'm not watching. Really.
What I Don't See Can't Hurt Me
This is a very simple tactic, and is one of the first that was successful. Most typically, this stratagem is used when I play online, since the headset makes noises in the room harder to hear. I've sent Connor to another room, to play with his toys, take a bath, etc. As soon as my copy of Left 4 Dead goes in, I'm oblivious to the real world. Thus, when Connor comes out to the hallway, or as close to his bedroom door as possible. While he can't see the carnage, he can certainly hear it. The drums announcing a Tank, the Boomer's gurgle, and the cacophony of bullets and shells flying everywhere fill his ears. If (and that's a major if, he's a sneaky little thing) I catch him, I usually don't get too upset. While the sounds of Left 4 Dead or similar games may be scary, they aren't usually M-rated in and of themselves. Unless Bill starts up with his potty mouth, that is.
Listening to the game seems to increase Connor's desire to see it in its full glory, however; so, the arms race escalates.
Take Cover!
To understand the next tactic, we go to acclaimed shooter Gears of War 2. I'm a huge fan of this game, not only because of the fine co-op, excellent graphics, and fun gameplay, but most especially for the family filters. With a simple option tweaks, the M-rated game is cleaned up considerably, with no bad language, and sparks instead of blood. Using these settings, I have no problem letting Connor watch, or even play from time to time. Apparently, he has learned from Marcus and Dom the value of using cover to his advantage.
We have a sectional sofa, which takes up a large part of our living room. It's large enough that Connor can hide behind it easily. When I send him to his room so I can fire up God of War, he quickly complies. By doing so, he doesn't arouse any suspicion, and soon I am merrily executing minotaurs in a spew of gore. As I revel in the bloodbath, Connor waits, patiently, until my attention is diverted elsewhere. Quickly, soundlessly, he moves, and assumes a position behind the couch. Creeping ever so slowly, he peers around the edge of the sofa, and gains an unobstructed view of the game. If mom or brother don't come by, he may be able to watch for quite some time. As the blood seeps from the wounds of Kratos' fallen foes, so, too, slowly, bit by bit, my darling son's innocence bleeds out from his couch vantage point. Eventually, he's caught, but the damage has already been done. My little baby had learned much from the Spartan and was now much wiser in the ways of combat.
Defiant as Kratos himself, Connor quickly became even more brazen in his efforts.