I never thought I would be playing a game that’s as old as my nephew (who just graduated college) on my phone, but here I am, a full-fledged PokeMOM! Lots of people are playing it, and lots of people are confused by it, even mocking its purpose, but I can attest to how much fun this interactive GPS/Real-life app can be for the entire family.
A typical evening begins like this: In one hand I have my trusty iPhone. In the other, a glass of wine because a girl needs to keep calm while chasing invisible characters with unpronounceable names through the neighborhood. I agree, it sounds ridiculous, but there’s a real benefit to looking like a fool in front of the neighbors. As I dart, sprint and stumble over thorny bushes, black racer snakes and sometimes walk into the occasional wall of someone’s house, I know this; Pokemon Go is making me a better mom.
As a mental health advocate, I spend my days sharing educational information and support to our Jacksonville community. When I read in multiple news sources that Pokemon Go was having a positive effect on mental health, I had to see for myself. Anything that’s free and can help others, I’m all for it. So I downloaded the app and having not looked at anything Pokemon since the 1990s, decided to ask my three sons for help. What I found was a new way of connecting with my boys by being actively involved in something the love and understand.
Pokemon Go has our family doing an activity together that’s fun, non-competitive (at least not with each other) and spending time together talking while outdoors. Yes, we do arts and crafts, story time and family game nights, but this was about strategy and cooperation (something we have to work on every day.) It’s basically a 21st-century scavenger hunt. We take turns trying to catch the Pokemon, and because our incense (it’s a Pokemon attractor) lasts 30 minutes, we are outdoors after dinner for at least that long. With long camp days and after camp play dates, this game became something we look forward to doing together. Plus it’s a great incentive to get them to finish dinner and clean up. Seriously, it’s worth it just for that.
I happily admit that a 30-minute pre-bedtime walk that has us planning and discussing different gaming plans is pretty awesome! I prefer this to sitting on the sofa watching television (which I also happen to enjoy). Oh and in case you were wondering, we’re not staring at a phone for the entire time.
I suggest you at least try it since it is free. The only problem I have with it is when kids are in camp, and I’m outside in my pajamas with a cup of coffee looking like I’m trying to catch my imaginary dog. I’m sure the neighbors are talking.
In all honesty, I was not expecting Pokemon Go to be anything that I would ever be interested in (like that Minecraft nonsense – do NOT get me started). But my kids are now looking forward to more outdoor activities like the beach and hiking so we can catch more Pokemon, together as a family. By the way, my husband doesn’t get it either. He just likes that our house hasn’t looked like the ring from Wrestlemania all week.
For more help with how to play, check out the Pokémon GO wiki!
About the Author
Jeanine Hoff is the founder and creator of Where is the Sunshine, a nonprofit organization and social media resource dedicated to mental health advocacy through positivity, education and collaboration. She is a member and presenter for NAMI’s Ending the Silence and Peer-to-Peer programs and is certified in Mental Health First Aid (Youth) and Suicide Prevention. Jeanine is also a classically trained singer and pianist hailing from the Big Apple but is now loving life in the Sunshine State.
