Dear David Buchannan and The PoJo:

I recently read your article about Poke-Moms and thier tendancy to freak out 
when thier kids got beat, and all I have to say is "AMEN BROTHER!"

As a tournament director for the central-Iowa region of Pokemon, I have also 
come into contact, and under fire, from a number of 'well-meaning' 
poke-parents who simply make life miserable for me, and the game no fun for 
thier smurf. 

For example, at my latest tourney (9-18-99) I had a total of 73 entrants. 
Yes, you read it right  73 entrants. I have 3 divisions in my tournaments, 
Expert, Senior, and Junior which are generally based on age (14+ for expert, 
10-14 for senior, and 10 and under for junior) but if a player feels they are 
good enough to play in a more advanced division, I don't usually try to stop 
them.

We had a couple 14 year olds who wanted to play in the senior division. When 
I asked why, the kids said "Well, we aren't very good--we don't get to play 
very often." I couldn't argue with that--and as it turned out, they WERENT 
very good... yet I had a mom in my face for a while, complaining up and down 
about how her little boy was going to be beaten by a "big" kid and be totally 
crushed....
It wound up that her kid, age 8,  beat the 14 year old.

Parents who bitch and whine and complain about age differences do nothing but 
teach thier children that it is ok to bitch and whine and complain about 
things. Parents who hoover over thier child as they play, make thier child, 
the opponent, and anyone watching the match feel scrutinized and 
uncomfortable.  Parents who are quick to point out mistakes the other child 
makes, often are silent when thier own child goofs up, and therefore teach 
thier child to be dishonest and cheat.  

Don't get me wrong--I have nothing but admiration for the dads and moms that 
allow thier children to be involved in organized activites such as pokemon 
tournements. I think it is a wonderful way for thier children to learn 
independance and the thrill of competition--and without the parents 
subsidizing thier children, we wouldn't have tournamnets and such a popular 
game; but, there comes a time when a parent needs to step back and let thier 
child make his or her mistakes, to play his or her game, and to win on his or 
her own merit. 

I have considered setting up a "Parent's Place" at the next tournament, wehre 
parents can sit and relax while thier child plays--and to discourage parents 
sitting and hoovering over thier (and everyone else's) kid. Do you think that 
would be a good idea? 

~The Pokemon Lady
klvyonne@aol.com