Family Connection

It's a shame we're not the kind of family that does treks together in the Himalayas. But despite being a bit lazy and loving the comfort of home, it's important to me that we have an experience of togetherness. It's important to me that after dinner, the kids don't scatter each to their room or phone. Well, obviously not every evening, but every so often it's really fun when it works out.

So how does it actually happen? 

One of the ways it happens at our place is through a shared game.

First of all, you need to find that time when they have time. And I mean they don't have an after-school activity, a new episode of a series they love hasn't come out, they don't have an important test the next day, and friends aren't meeting up. Because there's no getting around it—we're not at the top of the priority list. Our schedule, the parents', on the other hand, is less important. Because it's usually very busy, but on our priority scale—they're at the top.

And then you need to find the game. It needs to be something that's already been approved—meaning a game they've already played and loved, or something completely new. I don't believe in "second chances" for games with the same players.

It's worth matching the game to the mood. There are games that require a bit more concentration, or more thinking, or creativity—play them when you're more alert. There are games that flow well even with minimal energy investment—these are usually games more influenced by luck or where the game mechanics are very simple. Choose these when you're not at your best.

Game length also matters. Convincing teenagers to sit down with you for a board game lasting more than an hour is a task almost certainly doomed to failure—unless you're really in the Himalayan mountains or some other hole, without Internet connection. 

And if you're choosing a new game—take into account that the time to learn and check out the game comes at the expense of playing time (less than an hour, we already said?). Try to understand first how the game works and when it's most suitable to play it. Maybe learn it first and then just teach the youth. In our lazy family, this is usually the job of my eldest daughter's husband. It's much more fun to learn from someone who already knows.

But when we're already playing together (hey, it actually happens at our place quite often), it's so much fun. These are moments of togetherness. Quality time that we talk about afterward. Fresh, distinctive content that enters the daily routine and connects everyone.

Keep playing

Ayelet