As you've probably gleaned from other posts of mine, I have three kidlets who I love excessively-- and who drive me absolutely bonkers at least part of the time (they're all male, which is an experience in and of itself). Anyway, there's a wide gap between my oldest and my youngest (ten years) with my middle one seven years younger than the oldest. What this usually translates to is three children running off in three separate directions with me in the middle like elastigirl trying to follow all three of them.
Which is why I came up with the brilliant idea of playing a board game the other night. My friend, Lori Borrill, blogged on board games over at our group blog ( http://www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com/ ) the other day and her post made it sound like so much fun that I figured it couldn't be as bad as I remembered it being the last time I tried to play a game with the group of them. I was right- it was so much worse.
The oldest (a 7th grader who is so sophomoric I fear his head-- or mine-- will explode at any minute) did nothing but torment the younger two with the fact that he was more proficient at the game than they were. The middle one whined incessantly about the fact that the oldest was beating him, and the baby-- well, he did what he always does. He climbed into the middle of the game board at a crucial point and started throwing all the game pieces and cards around. Needless to say, the game ended with tears and angry shouts from the oldest two and a promise to myself not to try this again for quite some time.
Family game night is wonderful in theory-- not so great in application when you have a just-turned three year old running around. We gave up on Pirates of the Caribbean and ended up playing Lucky Ducks instead--you know the game with the ducks on a circle and the absolutely obnoxious quacking noise that goes nonstop? My oldest two dropped out quickly, less than impressed, and I was left with a headache of gigantic proportions.
So much for bonding over Milton Bradley. Maybe next year ...
How about you? Any favorite games you like to play-- now or as a child? Any suggestions on a game that might captivate the whole family?
Which is why I came up with the brilliant idea of playing a board game the other night. My friend, Lori Borrill, blogged on board games over at our group blog ( http://www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com/ ) the other day and her post made it sound like so much fun that I figured it couldn't be as bad as I remembered it being the last time I tried to play a game with the group of them. I was right- it was so much worse.
The oldest (a 7th grader who is so sophomoric I fear his head-- or mine-- will explode at any minute) did nothing but torment the younger two with the fact that he was more proficient at the game than they were. The middle one whined incessantly about the fact that the oldest was beating him, and the baby-- well, he did what he always does. He climbed into the middle of the game board at a crucial point and started throwing all the game pieces and cards around. Needless to say, the game ended with tears and angry shouts from the oldest two and a promise to myself not to try this again for quite some time.
Family game night is wonderful in theory-- not so great in application when you have a just-turned three year old running around. We gave up on Pirates of the Caribbean and ended up playing Lucky Ducks instead--you know the game with the ducks on a circle and the absolutely obnoxious quacking noise that goes nonstop? My oldest two dropped out quickly, less than impressed, and I was left with a headache of gigantic proportions.
So much for bonding over Milton Bradley. Maybe next year ...
How about you? Any favorite games you like to play-- now or as a child? Any suggestions on a game that might captivate the whole family?
How funny! Ok, I have 4 kids, 3 of which are also boys...ages 10, 9, 5 and I have a 3 year old daughter. We will play small kid friendly games with either just the small two or the big two will join in, but they know that these are for the little ones. We do things like Nick Scene It and we have teams, or play Uno, Crazy 8's, Old Maid. These games are pretty easy for the small ones and not too babyish for the big boys.
ReplyDeleteOf course, my husband and I have to help and always delay the game so we loose, because if we win no one ever wants to play. Then once the small ones go to bed, we will play a harder game with the big boys so they get to have some fun too.
Now, these plans are not fool proof, because the 9 year old cheats, the 10 year old hates to loose, and the small ones still need to much help that sometimes it is a joke to even try. But, we feel better doing it even though it is sometimes a pain in the rear!
Amy M
Oh wow Tracy... And Amy M!! I only have one child... and she is 15 (going to be 16 in a week). But hubby and I use to play games with her when she was younger. We bought the Disney Scene It game and played that with her. She even tried to incorporate a game night; it did not last very long. Hubby works late hours and two people... well... games kinda suck!
ReplyDeleteI feel bad not being able to offer any advice or help. But Amy sounds like she is one to something... might have to split up the time. Just a thought.
Hope you have a great day!
I'm sorry it was so terrible, but in a few years you WILL look back on this and laugh. My daughter is now 18 years old and I remember all the times we tried to sit down and play a game only to have her have a total tantrum when she didn't win.
ReplyDeleteIt's alot better now that she's older, at least we can get along most of the time and play nice. I would suggest playing different games at different times with each child.
Might go over better.
HI Tracy
ReplyDeleteIronically it's supposed to be fun right? When the littlest is a little older & understands taking turns I guess you can alternate games that each likes. We found Uno the easiest for all becuase the symbols & colors can be understood by the even the littlest person. Otherwise he sits on a grownup's lap & his own turn until he's ready to do it himself.
tennismom
Thanks for the advice, ladies. I appreciate it. I do try to alternate, but to do that I have to make sure the baby isn't around or he wants in on the action, no matter what. And the only time he isn't around is when I've put him to bed, but most nights I'm so tired after that happens that I'm not interested in playing games. LOL. Anyway, I know it will eventually get better-- and that I'll miss having a baby around. Or so they tell me ;)
ReplyDeletei have three myself but i send the little 2 to grandma if they want to play games and my oldest who 7 loves poker so she gets to come to poker night with me and i'm telling you shes a card shark.
ReplyDeleteYes, you will miss having your baby around. I never believed everyone when they told me how fast they grow up and when they are small or throwing tantrums it feels like it's never going to end and then one day they are 18 years old. How the heck did that happen? lol
ReplyDelete