Hi ,

My son has recently started taking a course to build executive functioning skills, and it's had both him and me setting some goals. My goal was to play a board game (mostly) every day after dinner.

We've had a few different routines over the years of daily game playing, but had gotten out of the habit lately. My kids are getting older so they have a bit more formal schoolwork to do and a bit more responsibility, but at the same time, they want more freedom and time with friends. Unfortunately, this has meant that our board games have been rather neglected. We were still eagerly playing games to record them, but that was mostly it.

So, a nightly board game has been something new and we've all been enjoying it. We get more time to really connect as a family, we have more fun, and my kids are getting more practice with logic, strategy, math, spelling, etc. You know, all those great things that come with playing board games.

Does your family get to enjoy regular gameplay? When works best for you? At different points, we have enjoyed a game before, during, or after breakfast. We've tried after lunch or after the rest of their schoolwork is done, but that never went well for us. By that time, my husband and I need to get some work done, and our kids seldom finish at the same time. I've heard of some families who do Funday Friday and play games all day instead of their regular coursework.

After dinner has been working well for us. The kids used to kind of screw around while my husband and I scrolled our phones, so playing a game together is a much better use of our time. And when it's time for our evening lessons (we do social studies and science in the evening as a family), we're already engaged and ready to go.

I would love to hear about when your family is able to play games! Are you able to do it spontaneously, or do you need to schedule it like I do? Until next time,

Happy Gaming!

~Ashley

Gypsy Gameschooler

Gameschooling on a Budget

P.S. If you haven't yet, I'd like to invite you to join me in The Homeschool Quest Free & Affordable - Gameschooling and Purposeful Play group on Facebook! I sponsor the group, post questions for discussion, and share fun, game-related resources. I'd love for you to join me!