Curious Parents Parenting Resources

Let’s Play Games
Publisher's Note

“Dad, please don’t turn on the TV while we’re playing”

“What?”

“We want you and mom all to ourselves while the other kids are away!”

This highly unusual request came from our youngest daughter, Amelia, while we were setting up for an after dinner game of Apples to Apples with her and her sister Marianna.  The other four kids were all visiting with aunts and uncles so Amelia and Marianna had Jackie and me to themselves for two days and two nights.  We realized with raised eyebrows to each other that the girls had organized their time with us to maximize conversation and togetherness:  Apples to Apples, a lazy dinner of takeout Chinese food and a long talk during a neighborhood drive.  They were thrilled to have our undivided attention all to themselves.

“Ooo Ooo, I have the best card for Useless—Fortune Tellers,” Amelia gleefully exclaimed as she jumped up and slapped her card on the table.  Winning the hand from Mom and Dad energized her and prompted futile defenses of our own choices from Jackie and me.  The girls were more engaged than any vocabulary drill we did for homework during the school year—this was turning out to be a great learning experience in addition to being tons of fun.

“Let Mars choose a different card Mom, that one’s too similar to the one we used before” Amelia pleaded on her sister’s behalf.  Modeling of desirable behaviors like compassion and sportsmanship are another way that games help families communicate and share their value system without preaching and lecturing by parents.  Best of all, it’s the kids teaching each other rather than Jackie and me having to be the heavies.

Big hugs and “Thanks for a great day together Mom and Dad” confirm that letting the kids set the agenda sometimes gives them just what they need most.  What a great day!

John Piccone is the publisher of Curious Parents.