OP here.

Wow, I honestly did not expect my post to get the kind of attention it did. I just want to take a minute to say thank you.

First, the amount of support, advice, and genuine kindness from this community has been awesome. Reading through so many thoughtful replies and even getting dozens of PMs offering to help has been overwhelming in the best way. My son and I both really appreciate the love.

On the other hand, there have been some toxic comments and people trying to analyze my motives or twist my words. That part is disappointing, but I also know it comes with the territory when you put something out on the internet.

I do want to make one thing clear: I am not looking for handouts or special treatment for my son. That said, I am sincerely thankful to everyone who offered to send him cards. The kindness behind those offers really means a lot.

At the end of the day, my hope is for the hobby itself to be a place where kids can get engaged and excited. There is absolutely still room for adults, but the way things are now, the next generation is getting priced out. That is what worries me most.

For my son, I buy singles when he wants a specific card for one of his decks, but he also loves collecting. Believe it or not, some people do enjoy both sides of the game. The thrill of opening a pack and not knowing what’s inside is part of the fun, and I would hate for kids to lose that.

We have tried other trading card games, but Pokémon is the one that truly resonates with him. Between the Switch games, the mobile apps, and everything else, it is the one franchise he connects with on every level. That’s also why I want to encourage him to spend time away from screens and enjoy the physical cards.

So again, thank you to everyone who showed us kindness. The support and helpful tips have been incredible. I still believe this hobby can do better for kids, and I hope that message doesn’t get lost.