As I type this title I realize how provocative it is, hinting at all kinds of possibilities. What kind of game? A social game? A dating game? A power struggle? Ah, so many interesting situations to explore.
This blog, however, is not about strategy and subtle innuendo, it’s about the nuts and bolts of playing those family games we received this Christmas.
At my house, we’re not very good at keeping things in their original boxes. It started when my kids were toddlers, with all those videotapes and their protective sleeves. Despite my best efforts to keep the tapes (and their covers) in good condition, the boys seemed to have an innate drive to stomp the sleeves flat, tear them apart…basically to render them useless. And, after all that, the sleeves end up tossed, lost, or both.
Other things get lost or destroyed as well. Like instructions (see “family games” above). Too many times we’ve been mid-game when an extraordinary game-play occurs causing the players to wonder, “is it fair…is it allowed…what happens next?” and the frantic search for the instruction sheet begins. After a brief and futile attempt to find the answer to our most pressing competitive question, we regroup to negotiate a decision — which rarely results in a universally happy solution.
Sure, we could probably search the internet and find the instructions, download them, print them, read them…and eventually lose them, again. But, that’s just too much trouble, don’t you think?
This morning I stumbled upon a perfect solution to this annoying family drama. Tape. Yep, as I grabbed the strapping tape to repair the already torn game box (re: “innate drive”) I had a light bulb moment. My bright idea? Tape the instruction sheet to the inside of the box lid. For those instruction booklets, slip them in an envelope labeled “instructions” and tape the envelope to the box interior. Voila! Crisis averted.
Normally never the crafty domestic engineer that other moms manage to be, I’m completely impressed with my clever idea.
Just call me Heloise.
