Adam@Home by Rob Harrell for July 25, 2014

Well, that’s how the old man taught my brother and I to play poker…as he took our allowance. But I rarely lose when I paly these days…

DAD TROUNCED US WITH BLACK JACK!

My father used to beat me at checkers and chess.

“the false self esteem of letting them win”Although I fundamentally agree with you, this can be a touchy subject; especially as your child gets older..When they are very little, allowing them to win can be quite helpful in getting them involved with play. As they grow older, a wise parent will sense the child’s growing maturity and increase the challenge..Kids do need to realize that winning is not always a given…

Adam just should not be gloating so much about winning ping-pong against a six-year old.

“But Laura, she always beats me at hopscotch!”

Agreed Adam.

If you want to play a game that a child can beat you at fairly, try the old card version of Concentration. Their attention span may not be as long as ours, but while it lasts they can really focus and remember where the cards are better than adults.