My friend, Alison of Writing, Wishing wrote a post last week for Mamalode called, Can We Just Play? about taking a break from all the screen time and being in the moment and well, playing. It brought back so many memories for me of playing games with my friends, cousins and especially mom and dad.
So many good memories of a simpler time, of real conversation and good old fashion fun.
As far back as I can remember, my parents hosted game nights and until I was old enough to play along, I would watch as the adults strategized, stole from the bank, bartered, became giddy with greed, displayed their fierce competitive streak and in equal measure, their admirable sportsmanship. They often got drunk and silly and always laughed the night away.
Playing games together was so much more than Monopoly, Risk, Trivial Pursuit, Acquire, UNO or 21 (all favorites in my family), it was a time to connect, share, bond and always beat staring at the television. Some of our very best family discussions occurred on game nights.
My mom always had a deck (or four, as 21 required) of cards on her and travel-sized versions of our best-loved games to take along on vacations, a practice I still keep. My husband and I brought Rummikub along with us on our honeymoon.
I have always loved playing board games and cards and I am trying to teach Lucas to love them too. We’ve been playing Go Fish, Crazy 8’s, Memory, High/Low, Candy Land, Connect 4 and Chutes & Ladders since he turned three. As soon as he turned four, I taught him how to play UNO (open-faced for now) and he’s really good at it! Just today, I bought Sorry, which he may be a little young for yet, but he enjoyed learning something new.
He’s not always a good sport, but after his opponent wins, nothing makes me prouder than hearing Lucas say, “That was a good game, Mommy, do you want to play again?” The answer is always an enthusiastic “Yes!”.
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So sweet! I should definitely pick up a Candy Land to play with Cameron. He’d probably be the right age for that now.
My family are also big game players. Whenever the lot of us get together, we usually play at least one game during the visit and without a doubt, that is the night we laugh the hardest.
I love board games. I really need to invest in some more of them and set up a family game night at home.
I still love Uno. My son (then in kindergarten) and I played every day before the bus. We also have mean Uno championships when my husband’s Grandmother comes to town. She’s pretty competitive and takes no prisoners. 🙂
We go through phases of playing board games, but every time we play, I think we have to play more often! It’s a good way to just be together – as long as no one gets too competitive!!
How cute is he with all the games? I love it! I used to make my parents play LIFE with me all the time – hee hee! And my mother hosted Bunco and we played cards and dominoes a lot. Yes, many great memories were made. And now making our own with our kids is extra special. 🙂
I loved Alison’s post. This makes me think that maybe I should have the board games upstairs where we would actually play them, and not downstairs where they get stashed away in the cupboard.
Love this post. I have very fond memories of watching my parents play Pictionary and cards with friends. My mom and I still play Spades and Dominoes every chance we get. My boy can’t enough of Stratego (which I totally beat him at, finally.) Play on!
Thank you so much for the shout outs, Tonya!
Sounds like your childhood was amazing fun. That’s the kind of memories I want to create for my boys.
Yay for all the games you’re playing with Lucas!
My kids love UNO! We play it all the time.