Here's the thing.
I love playing board games.
I find it therapeutic, relaxing and a pleasant way to socialise and spend time with people whether that be family or friends.
I will play anytime and anywhere. My wife Lisa likes board games but if there is any housework to be done she is not able to relax and start to play until everything is shipshape and Bristol fashion. Olivia and Harry enjoy board games when they play but are unlikely to initiate a game session and when a game is suggested they are unlikely to show much enthusiasm for it if there are competing on-line distractions vying for their time.
So here is the dilemma. Should I bully them into playing as I 'know' that it is good for them? Should I be completely laissez-faire and know that getting all 4 of us to the table at the same time will be like waiting for the planets to align? Or should I try for some midway point? Bribery, emotional blackmail, cajoling?
I recently took delivery of a game called Castles of Burgundy as this ticks a lot of the boxes required for us in that
- It isn’t too long
- It plays well with 2 and scales up to 4.
- It is well priced and has a proven track record as a great game. ( I avoid Kickstarter because I like the look of everything and know that disappointment is inevitable)
I ensured that I had played it with Lisa as a 2 player game first and was confident with the rules. Quite rightly this is something the children insist on before they will play a new game. Eventually, I found a slot on a Sunday afternoon that I booked a couple of days in advance in everybody’s mind to play. As I work shifts weekends are at a premium as I only get two in nine off. I used a bit of emotional blackmail saying how much I was looking forward to playing a new game with them.
When the time arrived Harry had forgotten we were going to play, there was housework to be done and suddenly remembered homework outstanding. Now whilst we did play the kids were not as engaged as usual, they felt it lasted too long and made their feelings apparent throughout which meant I felt guilty for ‘forcing’ them to play and none of us really enjoyed the experience. I was hoping that the game would have been a big hit with the family but alas the experience tainted the game for them and I anticipate that it will be difficult to tempt them back to play Castles of Burgundy in the near future.
Lesson learnt.
Wait for the planets to align and for everyone to willingly come to the table. In that way everyone will have a better experience and be more likely to increase the number of times they return in future.
Giles
