Yes, I am a nerd. I love Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Star Trek, Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings, Legos, and video games, among other things.
When I was in junior high and high school, being a nerd was something you tried to avoid because “Cool” was supposed to be the goal. I assume it was the same way for pretty much everyone else, because of how it has been the subject of countless movies and television programs. Little did teenaged Kari know that one day she would be proud of her nerdiness, and would not only embrace it, but celebrate it!
I love my nerdy side! I no longer strive to be “cool” because now I understand that nerdy IS cool.
So that’s why, when my husband suggested we start a series of family-friendly Dungeons & Dragons adventures, I responded “YES!” even though I haven’t played since I was younger than my daughter is now and don’t remember a lot except that my favorite part was designing dungeons and drawing pictures of elves. It’s definitely much more complicated now than it was back then. It took us several days of asking friends and reviewing books and searching the internet before I finally understood it enough to build my character. I think. For all I know, people who play regularly would probably look at my character sheet and be like “How in the world did you come up with THAT number?” Or “there’s no way this creature would be able to do that.” But I don’t care. I love the character with so much that I even tried to draw a picture of her. It isn’t exactly like the picture in my head but I’m happy with it anyway. I’m still working on perfecting her but I have even been inspired to write about her. If you want, I might even share her with you. If you ask really nicely.
The important takeaway from this whole thing is that I finally realized I don’t need to pretend to be cool because I already am.
I just wish I had figured this out when I was still a teenager. My mission now is to make sure my kids continue to love their nerdiness and embrace it without shame for the rest of their lives.
Kari Rhymes with Atari 
I was introduced to D&D when my older brother brought home the original white boxed set back in 1977. In the early 80’s when I was in college, the rules, dice and figures fell away one by one until we just sat around storytelling. I would describe the surroundings and situation. They would describe what they wanted to do. The story would unfold. Sometimes we would play all night. Now, I’m lucky if I can make it to 11:00 pm.
That sounds like a fantastic round table experience. I love it!
I’m right there with you – unapologetic (finally) about being a nerd. The fact that my kids are budding nerdlings is a huge source of pleasure and pride for me. Nerds rule!
Agreed! My kids are both proud to be nerds like their parents, and I hope it stays that way!
isn’t amazing how things get cooler when you’re older and not so worried about what others think? now if i could just apply this to my opinion of my cooking skills…
YES life is so much better if you realize you don’t need approval to enjoy the things you enjoy!
As fro the cooking problem, this is an ongoing issue for myself too, but I have found Pinterest to be a great help in that area. Just as long as I’m not in a hurry. 🙂
I always tell my daughters to be extra nice to the smart (translation:nerdy) kids because they will probably be working for them one day. And that they will be the guys they will want to marry.
I’ve always enjoyed the company of nerdy guys more than your average douchebag anyway 🙂
Love it! We are a Minecraft, Settlers of Catan kind of family, too. Hubby keeps trying to get us into D and D, but I think our kids have to be a little older…can’t really play with two. Flaunt that nerdiness!! Stopping by from Honest Voices. I blog at http://wegotourhandsfull.blogspot.com
Oh yes! My kids love Minecraft but I prefer the Lego games. Settlers of Catan is a fun one too, but we don’t own that one so we haven’t played it much. Come to think of it, why don’t we own it? I better add that to my shopping list.
AHHH!!! The boys would never let me play D&D with them when I was a kid. I hid my geekiness and never fit in anywhere. But then!!!! My knowledge of all things geek became a commodity! Resistance is futile! I will take over my boys brain when my husband (non-geek) is not looking. Do you play Magic? It’s a good one, it’s a quick fix when D&D is too much!
(found you from honest moms 🙂
My husband and kids love Magic but I don’t play because I couldn’t understand how it worked. I’m pretty sure I am biologically incapable of remembering how to play any particular card game once I am not actually playing it. It’s like The Silence*. As soon as I look away I forget all about it. My husband has had to teach me how to play gin rummy literally every time we have played it. After about 5 years of marriage he stopped asking me to play card games with him. Probably because he was tired of having to teach me how all over again.
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*apologies if you aren’t a Doctor Who fan; The Silence are probably among the creepiest Who monsters of all time.
I’m like that with cribbage. As far as Magic goes, I keep the directions handy so no one takes advantage of my swiss cheese brain.