Keeping It Real: Not Everyone Loves Fantasy

home insemination Kit

I quietly sobbed through the first Lord of the Rings movie—not because I was moved by the epic tale, but because I was utterly lost. Newly married, I was trying to make a good impression at my in-laws’ house, wanting to fit in. The only thing that kept me sane during those three-plus hours of confusion was my sister-in-law’s fancy massage chair. I claimed it for dear life, letting the vibrations work their magic while I pretended to be engrossed in the film. No amount of tingly goodness could distract me from the torture of trying to grasp the plot.

Please don’t hold it against me that I’m not a fan of fantasy. From Star Wars (all of them, and really, how are they different from Star Trek?) to Game of Thrones and every other trendy fantasy franchise out there—I’m just not into it. I appreciate the creativity and artistry involved in these stories, but I’d prefer not to watch or read them. It seems like I missed the memo when Comic Con and superhero fandoms emerged, while my peers were busy ensuring their kids would be raised on tales of good vs. evil right from the start.

My tastes lean more towards Molly Ringwald, Alice in Chains, and the Brontë sisters (except for their big sister, who I think is a bit overrated). I read constantly, and my favorite Christmas movie is Bad Santa. I’m not an intellectual snob, nor am I anti-intellectual; I’m just too lazy to dive deep into any one genre. The intricate costumes and alternate universes just don’t interest me. Instead of a fantasy-loving gene, I seem to possess a reality chip that’s as dry as a shed fingernail.

I must have passed this trait onto my son, Leo. At 8, he has only connected with one set of characters: the crew from Pixar’s first Cars movie. That passion made sense given his early obsession with vehicles, but it fizzled out pretty quickly. Recently, while rummaging through his dusty toy collection, he found some old Cars figures and blushed. “I don’t mind if we get rid of these,” he admitted shyly.

Toy Story? Nope. Superheroes? Not a chance. Batman, Spiderman, Captain America—he responds with confusion, which some interpret as indifference. One of his teachers even described him as “aloof,” worried that he was too dignified for dress-up play. I couldn’t help but compare him to another boy I knew who would explode with rage if anyone suggested he take off his Batman costume during a heatwave.

I’ve often felt that Leo and I are misunderstood. An old photo of me with my cousins shows us dressed in makeshift costumes, hamming it up for an impromptu performance. Yet, one child stands out: a girl in a yellow blouse, sitting quietly with her hands clasped, refusing to join in. That was me.

Fast forward to Halloween two years ago, and Leo is decked out in skateboard merch as his “costume,” standing next to friends transformed into Flash Gordon and the Joker. While they were all smiles, Leo’s expression seemed to say, “I’ll wear spandex when pigs fly.” Despite the differences, the trio is tight-knit—they play Minecraft and trade Pokémon cards together. These activities, though rooted in fantasy, didn’t seem to faze me as a mere phase like a late-blooming tooth.

This summer, in an effort to keep him reading, I took him to the library armed with a list of graphic novels. My friend had recommended must-reads for boys his age, but they were all checked out. The few remaining titles didn’t spark his interest. When I suggested that if Spiderman were here, he’d scale the wall to get to our car, Leo gave me a look that screamed embarrassment. “Please don’t say ‘Spiderman’ in public, Mommy,” he said, clearly wishing to distance himself from any fantasy-related association.

In the end, as I navigate the waters of parenting, I realize that not everyone has to enjoy the same things, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s all about finding what works for your family—just like exploring different options for home insemination. Whether you’re curious about at-home methods or simply want to dive deeper into other parenting topics, check out this informative guide on home insemination or discover more on artificial insemination kits for some helpful insights. The CDC also offers excellent resources for those interested in pregnancy and home insemination.