An Ode to Fathers Who Game With Their Kids

It is one of my favorite childhood memories that my mother and I still discuss to this day. 

When my father was done with work, we would often hang out in the living room while my mother was making dinner. On multiple occasions, she would hear a cavalcade of laughter coming from the two of us. When she would come in to check what had us nearly in stitches, the answer was always the same, Sorry!

The Parker Brothers’ classic board game was a favorite of ours and we would often sneak away to play a round or two. I would usually play as red, while dad would alternate colors. There was no taking it easy on me when we played, despite my young age. Each of us wanted to win. Over the course of our years, we played the game so much that the backs of the cards were nearly unreadable from being drawn so often, and the box was taped back together multiple times. 

As I grew older, the games changed. Stratego, Battleship and the Pac-Man board game were a few I remember playing with my family. I eventually became interested in video games. My parents didn’t share that interest, but would occasionally allow me to keep the system on when I had a record run in Missile Commander going and it was time for church. Dad would rather grab a deck of cards and play solitaire while watching a game on television. 

When I got older, a trip to visit the parents often included an evening game night. Tri-Ominos, UNO, Aggravation and UNO Attack were a few of our favorites. Each of these evenings spent playing a game with my parents is a treasured memory. 

Earlier this year, my father passed away. Playing Sorry! with him instilled a love of games in me at an early age. It helped me develop critical life skills including logic and analytical skills I still use today. I have a group of friends who I play board games with regularly, and I run a website dedicated to games in their various forms. I feel like my dad did something right. 

This year for Father’s Day, take the time to play a game with your dad, you children or both. Create a memory that will last a lifetime.