Pokemon Boy

Games such as YuGiOh and Pokemon are really big among homeschooling boys; in fact it was a bunch of older homeschool boys who first gave J. their cast-off cards when he was 4, starting an obsession that I wasn't really keen on.

The cards and their complicated games don't win my favor for a number of reasons, the primary one being that I find it all rather silly and also that they are the epitome of the vicious child-consumerism trap to which my son seems to be magnetically attracted. So, we're clear on the fact that I'm not thrilled about this kind of thing, right?

But, then there is this issue of how the boy loves the stuff. All the crazy monsters with their bizarre powers really floats his boat. And many of his friends enjoy these games--he has formed quite a few friendships over the trading of cards (usually his really awesome card traded for something significantly less awesome . . . )

Over the years it's been kind of tough to balance my dislike of it all with a recognition and acceptance of the pleasure it gives him. It was doubly difficult because my son never actually seemed to want to master the games--simply collect the cards, play-act really awesome sounding (but completely fake) game scenarios, and have conversations with his friends that go like this: "Dude, I sooo need to get that new WonkyFart tin! It's got the most awesome  Limited Edition Fire Bomb Radiation Ghost-Turtle card, and my deck just can't compete without it. Once I have it I'll totally have the power I need to defeat the masters!"

Truth be told, he really had a hard time figuring these games out, but didn't want to admit it. I even tried to learn to play the games so I could help him, but my brain is too old and feminine for that.

As luck would have it, another homeschooling family offered a Pokemon class last week, and Julian attended and got some hints and help and had a wonderful time. This family was also enthusiastically promoting a tournament that happened today. They are enthusiastic because their boys happen to be ace Pokemon players who have won thousands in college scholarships by winning such tournaments.

And so J. went. He was all puffed up with plans to blow the world away by walking in there a complete unknown and leaving with the No.1 prize of scholarship plus airfare to Nationals. He was so certain:

And lucky for me his dad took him and helped him through the rough spots as he clawed his way to 51st place (out of 75, man, that's really not so bad for a first timer!) He shed a few tears, I hear. But he came home a happy camper--and just a bit more mature, I think. Humility isn't a bad thing, you know.