I wish there was a way to comfort you buddy, but that's just how some people, (moms especially), view video games. You could try to approach her in a mature way and express to her how much the companionship you have with your friends online means to you. Try to have her sit with you and watch what you do. (Might want to tell your buddies to clean up the dialogue of course.) 10 hours a week may not seem like much to you but that's not how parents think bro. They think "Well that's 10 hours you could be studying or being outside or doing something other than being inside GLUED to the T.V." I hate that phrase. That's why I put it in caps. lol I think your best bet is to take the high road on this and try to reason with your mom. Don't whine, cry, scream or be petulant. Doing that will only reinforce her idea that games are making you anti-social and underdeveloped. Try surprising her by coming at her like a mature adult and asking her to sit with you and watch you play with your buddies. Maybe she'll figure out that you play mostly for the friendships you have with your teammates, not necessarily the "epic frags", you know? Another thought: you say you only play 10 hours a week so you should have plenty of time for other stuff. Do stuff in the day outside or hit the books or whatever it is you do when you're not playing video games and try to help relieve your mom's fears a little bit. Maybe she's just concerned because she doesn't see you doing other things on your downtime. I remember growing up that it sucked that the only time my mom ever seemed to see me was in the evening after she got home from work, after my football practices and homework were done, (well, homework for the most part was done...hehe), while I was winding down with some FFVII or Twisted Metal 2. She'd come in like "Oh you're playing video games again. Surprise!" We'd get into the same debate: "Mom, you only see me for like two hours every night and it's at the end of the day. All my work is done. What is your problem?" Oh was that the wrong thing to say. She didn't care about the games at that point or the fact that my homework was (mostly) done. All she saw was her son popping off his lip at his mother. (And I was, to be honest.) Dunno buddy. Hope it works out for you. Come at your mom like an adult, is the best advice I can offer. You may not have a way to go here. I promise you, it gets pretty awesome once you move out on your own bud. Just stay away from WOW and games of its ilk once you get free from home and you'll be fine.
