Is Parents Getting into TCG a Bad Idea?

Y

YooperDude

Aspiring Trainer
Member
Hey all,

I'm 38 and have an 8 year old and a 5 year old. I've played Magic in the past and generally like trading card games. I'm also a collecting freak. I wanted to get into Pokemon TCG because I can get the best of both worlds - I can collect cards, play a game, and also play it with my kids. I like how it challenges them to think, use math, read, develop strategy, make independent decisions, etc. My issue is I feel like a creep for wanting to play and I'm going to be viewed as "creepy old dude". I went to our local comic shop which is sanctioned for tournaments and it was 99% kids under 10. I was told that it's mostly older people in their 20s for the tournaments, but the league is the younger crowd. My dilemma is I don't know if I should just focus on Magic and not play with my kids, or stick with Pokemon and just look the other way. So far, we've had a blast playing at home and my daughter is excited to check out the local league play this week.

Also, I've been addicted to playing Pokemon X on the 3ds as of late since it ties in with TCG.

Any honest (potentially brutal) opinions are appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
YooperDude
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

I'm 18 and my parents think I'm too old, I'm female too and that makes it even worse. But do I care? NOPE. I love Pokémon and my room is stuffed with plushes and binders full of cards.

I know a few older people who collect and/or play. Some of them are active on Youtube and their in videos of pre-releases and other events I see mostly adults. So just be yourself. You like to play Pokémon with your kids? Then do it! Might be a little weird at first, but people really shouldn't judge you just because you like a card game.
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

I'll be 38 this year, and I just started playing about a year and a half ago. I used to play Magic in college, but I've been into the video games since Yellow. I figured I'd give the TCG a try. I loved it so much, I took the test and now I am a professor answering card rulings here!

I'd say that while the local league is mostly kids, local tournaments I've been to have been mostly adult players.
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

Angela Anuszewski said:
I'll be 38 this year, and I just started playing about a year and a half ago. I used to play Magic in college, but I've been into the video games since Yellow. I figured I'd give the TCG a try. I loved it so much, I took the test and now I am a professor answering card rulings here!

I'd say that while the local league is mostly kids, local tournaments I've been to have been mostly adult players.
Click to expand...

Does anyone give you strange looks? Are you big into collecting the cards as well?
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

Well, if TO's who are typically around your age can play with dignity against league participants, young and old, I'm pretty sure you can, too.
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

That's kind of funny you play at a league with all children
At our league we have;
3 kids between 6-10 (ones female)
2 11 yr old (I think - they doesn't talk much)
2 15 yr olds (1 being me)
5 20-26 yr olds (no kids - 1 female)
3 or 4 30 yr olds (parents of smaller kids)
1 40-ish yr old (female - league leader)

And there are tons of people that stop In every once in awhile for some fun (adults)
We all play because we love the game and almost everyone gets along just fine. I'm 15 (almost 16) and I plan on playing this game for awhile even as an adult. If you look at most Pokemon YouTube channels, most of the people running those are in their mid to late 20s. Plus, everyone knows you're just a PokeParent so it shouldn't be weird at all. If you have fun playing Pokemon.... Welp.... Everyone has fun playing Pokemon lol :p
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

YooperDude said:
My issue is I feel like a creep for wanting to play and I'm going to be viewed as "creepy old dude".
Click to expand...
On the other hand, you could be thought of as a really "cool old dude" as many players have said to me (most did leave off the "old" part though).

I am probably the OLDEST player in the Midwest playing competitively and I'm 60+ years young. I also starting collecting sets from day 1. I started playing shortly after my kids started showing interest in the game some 15+ years ago when they were just elementary/junior high school age. As time passed, between incremental school demands, part-time jobs, high school, college, work, etc., they all stopped playing; but, I continued - for the love of the game.

As you noted, my kids' math, reading, problem-solving, decision making and social skills were enhanced as a direct result of playing the game. In addition, either on solo trips with with my kid(s) or as a family outing/vacation, we enjoyed some great times together going to tournaments - those times were invaluable. This game provided me another opportunity to stay "connected" to them as they grew up (when your kids hit the pre-teen/teenage years, you'll understand - lol).

In the Midwest, there are still quite a few Poké Dads and Moms who share similar backgrounds as myself. So, you are definitely not alone as a 30-yo playing the game. Personally, I'm surprised that more parents are not taking advantage of sharing the experience with their kids. Be that as it may, it has been a great privilege to have seen lots of players "grow up" into fine young adults (including my kids). The game is fun and competitive which makes it an ongoing great experience. It will also afford you great opportunities to share time, fun and learning experiences with your kids too - that's priceless.

Lastly, it's a fantastic idea for parents to play Pokémon. But be forewarned; it can get a bit "competitive" too at the house. For example, my youngest (1st year grad student) still has more 1st place tournament trophies than I do (which she reminds me of at times) and I just can't have that... Rlol.
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

I have played with players of a tremendous range of ages, and it's never bothered me (nor have I noticed it bothering anyone else). If anything, I like to see diversity in the community, and how such a wide range of people can all enjoy the same game.

If you have fun playing, then that's all that really matters. Always keep in mind that games are really just for pleasure. Even if some people think it's a bit unusual, that should be the last thing in your mind. Never let the perceptions of others prevent you from doing the things you enjoy. Those perceptions are almost always all in your head, and once you get past them you'll be fine.
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

I really encourage you to at least start by playing with your kids, if you're not comfortable in entering tournaments. I am 19 years old, going on 20, and Pokemon has been a part of me since I was 4. As I grew up, my parents always thought Pokemon was just some weird phase I was going through, but they never really understood why I loved the franchise so much. I wish they had given it a chance and played with me once in a while, but I was forced to do so alone or with the very occasional friend. Be the cool parent mine never were!
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

YooperDude said:
Angela Anuszewski said:
I'll be 38 this year, and I just started playing about a year and a half ago. I used to play Magic in college, but I've been into the video games since Yellow. I figured I'd give the TCG a try. I loved it so much, I took the test and now I am a professor answering card rulings here!

I'd say that while the local league is mostly kids, local tournaments I've been to have been mostly adult players.
Click to expand...

Does anyone give you strange looks? Are you big into collecting the cards as well?
Click to expand...

If people do, I don't mind. I'm the kind of person who is used to inducing weird looks in people. I mean, I've seen Weird Al 28 times in concert now - telling people that always gets me weird looks. But if anyone is concerned about a random adult playing against their kids, I have my background check paperwork from tPCI handy so I can prove I'm not a criminal, at least ;-)

I do like to collect cards, but I live out in the country, so there are only so many people to trade with.
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

SilentlyFreezing said:
I really encourage you to at least start by playing with your kids, if you're not comfortable in entering tournaments. I am 19 years old, going on 20, and Pokemon has been a part of me since I was 4. As I grew up, my parents always thought Pokemon was just some weird phase I was going through, but they never really understood why I loved the franchise so much. I wish they had given it a chance and played with me once in a while, but I was forced to do so alone or with the very occasional friend. Be the cool parent mine never were!
Click to expand...

I am almost 16, also been collecting since I was little (5).
My parents tried playing (like once), but they just can't do it for some reason, idk why.
I think it would have helped if they did, because then my sister would have also probably played, and they don't which means I don't really get to go to tournaments more than 30 minutes from where I live, because bringing me and picking me up will be twice as much for them, so at least 2 hours...
Also I noticed all the kids with invites in Cali have parents and/or siblings playing
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

not at all. pokemon is a fun game that everyone can play. i am 28 and have been playing since it came out.
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

I am 30 and have been into pokemon for 16 or so years. In North Carolina, most players are 18-3x years old. I am in Knoxville TN for the summer and the only league has mainly kids and 2 adults now, (like 10 people). Where are all the TN players/collectors/fans hiding??
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

I'm 37 and I taught my oldest child (9) to play and my 7 year old is learning. The 9 year old LOVES to put together new decks and try new strategies. It's funny we use my old Base/Jungle/Fossil collection to battle and add in some newer cards and the kids love it.
 
RE: Parent wanting to get into TCG. Is it a bad idea?

The oldest player I know is [member]Shakespeare[/member].
 
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