Did you play with your children last week? No guilt trip here. I confess that I didn’t play with my children as they were growing up. Now, I wish I had. Here are several ideas you can use to plan this week’s play time with the family. Try them out. Let me know what worked for you. Have other ideas, please feel free to share them here.
1. “It’s NOT About You!” It’s NOT About Winning the Game! It’s even NOT about your children! Surprised? It’s about your grandchildren! As your children see how you play with them, they’ll use those same skills much later in life as they raise your grandchildren.
2. “Enjoy the Ride!” Trash-talking? Poking fun? Tell a few funny stories about when you and your family or friends played together growing up. Everyone loves a good story. I think that’s how 60 Minutes gained its fame.
3. “Go Slow!” Some games have very complicated rules. Keep it simple at first. Maybe add a new rule from the list each time you play. Use your imagination and teach them to use theirs. After all, the problems we leave our children will need strong imaginations to solve as they grow older.
4. “Know When to Fold’em!” If the game gets boring, know when to suggest something else. Switch sides. Team up. Try a different game. Head for Dairy Queen. Whatever you do, don’t give up. Just steer the boat into calmer waters.
5. “Name Game!” The best games don’t come in a box or require training and lots of equipment. The best games begin in a child’s imagination. Maybe it’s a game of pirates looking for sunken treasure using props from the toy chest. Or, maybe it’s a rousing game of “cowboys and indians” or “cops and robbers.” If the focus is on building relationship, it doesn’t matter what you play.
6. “Even Steven!” No one likes to lose all the time. Even your children. Try playing while standing on one leg with your right hand tied behind your back. Afterall, they handicap horses don’t they?
7. “It’s About Time!” Time Together. Family Time. Times you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Times your children will repeat with their children.
8. “We’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat!” Finally, play time is for everyone. Are the neighbor’s children hanging around? Get them in the boat. Is mom still cleaning up after supper? Help her finish the chores and get her in the boat. Aunts, uncles, or grandparents nearby? Let them play.
By the way, we’ve known about the importance of play for our children for a long time. Psychologists are discovering how important play time is for all of us. Are you ready to play?
