Family Time: Pokemon Go…

I will admit it, I was very skeptical of walking around looking for imaginary creatures with my cell-phone.  Everyone looks so funny holding out their phones like they are looking for cell service in a mountain pass somewhere remote.  I will also admit that I looked like this – when my older son came home talking about this new app that has been blowing up social media and places all around the world:

I mean really?  Kids and even adults staring at their cell phones while they are outdoors…what could ever be wrong with that?
Don’t we already have enough of that already with our families all laying around looking like this: 

 

The cynical side of me says, “oh yeah, that’s all we need, something else on our phones that will distract us from what is right in front of us…”

I honestly felt that way about Pokemon Go…past tense, I don’t feel that way anymore, and I’m ashamed not to admit that I was wrong.

Here’s what I mean:

We Need Family Time!
Families who have had trouble getting their children outside during these beautiful summer days need not face this struggle any longer.  All you have to do is embrace this craze called Pokemon Go!   Check it out for yourself.  This app is available on both the iOS app store as well as the Google Play store.  Another great incentive – IT’S FREE!!   Once downloaded (and hopefully the servers aren’t overloaded anymore) you can begin walking your neighborhood with your kids looking for these Pokemon.  Granted I know nothing about the whole Pokemon story-line, but I do know that my kids are excited to journey outdoors and ACTUALLY walk and get some exercise…

I was impressed that even my 15 year old son who is a “cave dweller” that loves to watch YouTube and hang out in the basement all day unless I force him outside, was excited to go discovering with us using the Pokemon Go App.  This is great!  We talked, we walked and we found more than just imaginary creatures using a fun little app, we found family time again!  The kids were yelling and were only too excited to run towards the next stop on our journey.  I’m finding that we are not the only ones caught up in this craze, there were hundreds of kids and families out all over our downtown with their phones out laughing and exploring.

Educational:
Another cool tidbit is this:  your children will learn about locations and history as they go exploring.  We learned that in our community within one of our cemeteries the first American soldier killed in World War I is buried.   This is really cool! Not only is it fun to go exploring but many historical locations house information and education for our kids to discover.  That alone makes this not only  fun to use, but a tool to teach and to connect with my children.

If you haven’t already, give Pokemon Go…a go.
I am not embarrassed to say that I have enjoyed exploring it with my children.
My first impression was wrong, and I don’t mind if we look like a bunch of nerds walking around with our cell phones out…we’re together, and that’s what really matters.
Have fun, and don’t forget to spend quality time with your children in whatever activity you decide to participate in.

Something more to ponder.
Check this crazy video out – Central Park Filled With Pokemon Go Users