With Thanksgiving and soon the Christmas holiday coming upon us, I am reminded of those many years with a full house of children and the long school breaks that kept them underfoot for days. Of our five children only one remains in school, but with grandchildren accumulating I find myself giddy to revisit old memories of days long gone. When the children were younger we spent the days baking, intensive Nerf gun battles, and way too many imaginary bear hunts. We also lobbed through those cold weary days of winter easily with the simple pleasures of board games. It was a fun way to pass the long stretch of days indoors and keep our children learning. I didn’t realize then I was doing more than having fun and maybe challenging my children to want to win, but board games offered many advantages that can easily be overlook.

Checkers and Chess were a few of my favorites, teaching strategy skills and forward thinking. Life taught us to learn sometimes the unexpected happened and we had to roll with the punches or savor the victories. And Risk, oh my, that game has set my world on fire a time or two. Talk about strategy and patience. Monopoly was a family favorite and yes it seemed some of the children where good with money early on and it stuck, thankfully. Games of cards like Fish , Rook, Spades, and Rummy taught some early mind reading skills I wished I never introduced my kids too. (They tend to use it against me every now and then.) Operation required patience, and a steady hand. And let’s never forget all about Twister, the first yoga experience. Scrabble, Guess Who, or even a quick game of Yahtzee can challenge your children, or grandchildren. You can reconnect all the while installing a few needed life skills.

In a world where technology has replaced the after dinner family experience I hope each of you take the time before the season is upon us once again and revisit the joys of your childhood. Dig out those old board games or invest in newer ones. Make memories, share some laughs, and find joy even in simple and ordinary days.