Cutthroat board gaming
DEAR ANNIE » I would like some help with this problem. I recently joined a board game group. A friend had told me to come and play. Two women in the group are very competitive; one is my friend. I haven’t played these games since the 1970s. So much has changed. They even play these games online to practice now. One warms up for our weekly games by playing a game at the computer at the center where we meet.
This week, we had an extra person when I came, so we made two teams instead of playing individually. One of the competitive women said I should play with another woman who doesn’t score high. She wanted to play with another of the top players so they could score really high. I felt that I was not wanted, and so did the other ladies. Now I do not want to go to this group anymore. The other woman gets upset if she does not win. Should I continue to go and hope I can do better or leave the group?
—Undecided
DEAR UNDECIDED » You don’t need to improve your score; they need to improve their attitudes. Try talking to your competitive friend about your feelings. If she and the other poor sport in the group can’t be kind, relax and enjoy themselves while playing board games with girlfriends, it’s their loss. Start your own group with like-minded women who are looking to have fun, not just to win.
DEAR ANNIE » I am writing in response to “Trying to Stay Afloat,” the parents who are falling behind on everyday chores in their efforts to be great parents and excel at their jobs.
I absolutely agree with your advice to use Mint. Automatic bill pay can be such a timesaver and can take the worry out of this chore. I liked the Blue Apron or Green Chef idea, as well. That’s a great way to cook healthful meals.
I would like to add one observation. As parents, one of our biggest jobs is teaching. And we teach by example. We are teaching our children how to be adults and what they will need to do to survive in our society. No matter the age of a child, we can incorporate our chores into their daily lives.
When they are young, you can make it into a game. When cleaning, give them a dust cloth. Tell them they are chasing down the dust monsters with their magic cloth. Get them toy vacuum cleaners and brooms. If doing the laundry, teach them colors as you sort the laundry. As the children get older, the lessons can become more technical. But always spend good quality time making what you might otherwise see as a chore into a lesson on being an adult. I think we do a disservice to our children by letting them believe life is all fun and games.
Thanks, Annie, as always, for your good advice.
— Betty
DEAR BETTY » You’ve found teachable moments in everyday chores. I absolutely love your suggestions. Thank you.
If she and the other poor sport in the group can’t be kind, relax and enjoy themselves while playing board games with girlfriends, it’s their loss. Start your own group with like-minded women who are looking to have fun, not just to win.