I was never one of those parents who played games with my kids. Admittedly they were too small for anything more than snap and memory up until a few years ago.
Kiara’s play therapist recently suggested we start playing games together. There were a few reasons she suggested this
- We watch too much TV
- It teachers children about consequences
- It builds up trust
- And its fun
So off I went and borrowed a variety of games from a friend and every night for the past 6 weeks we have played games after dinner. It really does make a difference. It has cut down on the amount of TV that Cameron watches which is great and seems to be teaching Kiara the desired lessons.
A few months ago her tantrums were frequent when she did not get her own way as a result of something she had done/not done but this morning when she asked me if she gets her treat and I replied no because you did not do what I asked she said “So it’s a no” and walked away calmly. I am not attributing this solely to the playing of UNO every night but I do believe it is a contributing factor.
We also now play games in the car like “I spy” which makes for much laughter and is making us all aware of what is going on around us.
While I will admit that some evenings the last thing I want to do is look for matching pairs of fairies it has made a difference in the way my family functions.
So get some games, have some fun and teach some lessons!
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3 Responses
I am also a divorced Mom of two boys (aged 6 and 9). For precisely the reasons you mentioned I had out DSTV disconnected and hauled out the Monopoly and playing cards! Not only have I saved myself R600 a month, but I have got to know my boys all over again. They don’t miss DSTV at all and their favourite thing to do now is ‘family game night’! Best decision I have made in a long time!
We are a scrabble family so our children often see us playing and my nine year old has the junior scrabble which she loves. Jenga (piling wooden planks up) is good for hand eye co-ordination and patience and pictionary stimulates lateral thinking and can be played with teams. I still have fond memories of playing monopoly with my brother as children – although I may also have the scars from when I beat him! 🙂
I can’t agree with you more. In my experience when I make the time to play games it makes such a difference. UNO is incredibly successful because so many different age groups can play, the more the merrier. Only problem is staying motivated. I play it in a trance these days after 5 years of playing. My 12yr old son still enjoys it, as does my 8yr old daughter. Other great games that also work with my kids from about 5yrs:
1. Mighty Dice – a very simple maths game with dices and board start from about 5yrs – cheap and easy
2.Who’s Who – wonderful game which teaches kids how to ask questions, observe details, also inexpensive
3. Doing puzzles which stay up for days and everyone has a turn to fiddle.
Anyone else have some very successful games to share?