Are some parents just freakin idiots???

I can't tell you how many negative remarks I've heard from parents or other "adults" since we started Xfuel about gaming / gamers in general - countless!!

I do want to thank the non-brain parents that walk up to us when we are somewhere with the Xfuel trailer and thank us for making a product like Xfuel with no sugars, etc, etc and full of vitamin C. They also see value in their kids playing video games and being somewhere that they at least know where they are.

So, yesterday I'm getting my hair cut and go to a barber not a stylist (it's cheaper, sorry!) and the woman barber alongside me and the man in the chair that she is "grooming" are having a discussion. Let's say the man being groomed was you typical football parent, nothing wrong with football but like when people say typical "gamer" he was typical "football parent". Everyone of you know people like this guy, 40 years old with football jersey on shorts and backward baseball cap - don't you?????

Anyway, the "my son plays video games too much" comes out of his mouth and those who know me know I have to debate this now!!!!

I say, "Video games aren't so bad, what's the problem with them?"

Ok, here is a partial list of things the whole barber shop gangs up against me with:

• the kids get no exercise
• the kids don't get fresh air
• the kids don't interact with real people
• there are pervs out there stalking them and trying to lure them into doing things - haven't you ever watched DateLine????
• all those killing games make them crazy and put thoughts in their head
• carpel tunnel syndrome
• yada, yada yada you have heard these plus 200 more over and over - right?

So, I get knocked around the first round, cover up allot and let them take their best shots at me and I'm still standing. Round 2 starts and I come out very calm and don't argue any of those points, agree with some but ask questions:

• Yes, I agree, we all could exercise more and look at both of us, we could loose a few pounds, we need some more exercise don't we?
• Do you leave your kids inside to play video games with all your windows closed and the central air on constantly, sleep with the windows closed things like that? Maybe you should leave some windows open some time get some fresh air????
• We have that new fangled xbox live system and my kids play and talk with hundreds of kids from all over the world and my kids work together with these total strangers on pick-up games as a team to defeat some other strangers. I bet your kids text alot, don't like talking to people do they?
• When your kids leave the house and go to mall or you drop them off there I bet there aren't any other kids there looking to smoke, drink or do some act that minors shouldn't be doing?
• Do you think that person on-line can exert more influence over your kids then than a group of their peers at the mall or movies can when they try to embarrass your kid to do something that maybe you didn't teach them was wrong to do in the first place?
• I used to watch the Coyote get crushed, run over, fall off a cliff, etc, etc as a child, I'm sure you did too, how many times did you stand in front of a speeding train to see if you would not get killed?
• Let me ask you what are the chances of your kids playing pro sports since your genes don't look to be the greatest?
• At your job, do you spend most of your day on the phone or digging ditches?
• So, all that football and being outside prepared you how for the job you have now, seems to me if maybe you had spent some more time with technology you be driving a BMW instead of a Honda?
• No thanks on the advice, I'll let my kids continue to learn computer skills, how to work as a team with diverse groups of people from all over the world, learn that videos game are just games and YES someone has to win but doesn't mean you have berate the other guy because next match he might be on your team - we've fine the way we are!

So, were they right, put down your controllers and learn how to do something that you maybe you can't make a living doing, acquire skills that enable you to do manual labor and just grow up to be content sitting around bitchin about everyone else who took a different path?

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Parents and gamers alike there is a fine balance to what kids should be doing and some of each is a wonderful thing, the problem is too many parents can only see their side of it because they are afraid of what they don't understand, or want to accept what the world is changing or they just suck at video games in general - so forgive them, don't let what they say bother you, try to do some of both and move on.

Thanks hope you enjoyed my Saturday!!