Finding Passion

Last weekend, the kid spent three full days at a Magic the Gathering tournament. Three days surrounded by people twice his age, embedded in a world of fantasy, card games and strategy, along with artists, professional players and the smell that a Magic playing friend describes as ConFunk. The kind of smell that only a truly passionate person can tolerate for three days straight.

A friend and colleague of mine said that she was glad he had found a passion and that they were still looking for one within their son. This took me aback a little bit and I spent several days thinking about it. A passion? In a card game? Is that even OK?

I'll be honest, I felt immediately compelled to quash it out of him. Box up the cards that spill into multiple rooms in my house, cut off the supply chain that has allowed this passion to flourish (aka- his dad, who appreciates all things geeky). Surely passion should be reserved for things that actually are productive, bring good to the world or at a very minimum, don't involve spending time with unshowered young adults.

I'm glad I fought those urges though, because the more I thought about my friend's comment, the more I realized that we are lucky. He has a passion. He actually has three of them. If I divvied up the hours in my house based on what he spends time on by choice, I'd see

1) Minecraft
2) Reading for pleasure
3) Fencing
4) Magic the Gathering
5) School work

None of those are likely to make him millions of dollars in a future career, but equally, none are likely to lead him down a path of self destruction and dangerous on-the-edge living. He can spend time in a large group of adults (more than 1800 this weekend!) and engage in contextually, socially appropriate conversation without sticking out like a sore thumb. He's learned to mold himself to fit the group, a useful skill in any future career.

He has good friends who share his passions and will listen to him babble on endlessly about this new mod pack or that new card's strengths. I'm grateful for these friends, because it means less time I have to spend pretending that I'm engaged in a discussion about the virtues of things I really don't have the desire to care about. Any parent out there knows that Minecraft talk will dominate your dinner conversation if you let it!

My friend was right, he has a passion. It might not be my passion, or the one I would have chosen for him, but it's there and it's exciting and energizing for him. I'll step back, encouraging along the way and let it run its course. I think I can, I think I can!

It's not just about academics! The extras...

It's that time of the year again, where I look at the schedule and wonder if I've overdone it. Only to be convinced by the kid, one more time, that we should add yet one more activity. 'Tis the life of a mom of a very extroverted only child!

I always find it amazing when people that know us worry about socialization and whether or not the kid has enough contact with children. They clearly either don't pay attention to the severe lack of "home" in our homeschooling, or aren't paying my gas bill! This year will be no exception, in fact, it may just blow last year out of the water. Between starting the new job (where the kid will often go to work with me) and his wide range of interests, I'd be better off in a little motorhome where we could just haul our home around with us!

In addition to his core academics, the kid has four hours a week of fencing lessons in a town 20 minutes away each direction. He has his regular elective classes at our charter school, which include musical theater, guitar and Spanish, as well as Math Olympiad and Lego Robotics and of course, Minecraft Club. He's recently begged for improvisational comedy classes, which are on the weekend. Add in his fencing tournaments that are always out of town and our local homeschooling group activities and that motorhome is sounding even better. Did I mention that he's also asking to raise a guide dog puppy? The motorhome needs a little potty spot that is mobile as well.

When I look at the list above, I think I must be completely insane. I've seen him at home this summer when there's little required and I've realized all the activity makes him buzz with happiness. It's not about avoiding boredom, or parental pushing, or even about keeping him out of my hair. He likes to be a "do-er" not a "think-er". He craves that constant motion from activity to activity and it drives him to be more productive and happier in the long run. I'm coming to terms with the idea that this is our reality until he can drive himself. Yet another reason we are a two-Prius family!

We are quite lucky to be able to homeschool because if you tacked on middle school homework and projects, he'd never be able to do even half of it. I'm still not sure how I am going to do it all, but at least I know that my son will be a happy, well-rounded and creative guy who isn't afraid to try new experiences.

Now, off to make a list of crockpot recipes so we can eat something over the next year!