We all like to win, I mean, who doesn't? Unfortunately, we can't always be the winner. In order to appreciate our wins we have to be able to endure some losses. How we handle those losses speaks volumes of our character. Our house has seen them all: flipped game boards and lost pieces from tantrums. Here are some things that have worked for us...
Teach them to acknowledge losses and disappointment; we know that we can't win them all. Be sure to show the kiddos that everyone gets to be a winner based on the way they play the game. This is also a time to point out that things don't always go the way we plan them and we have to learn to roll with that.
Play skill games; By playing games of skill rather than ones of chance. This helps our children sharpen said skills and knowledge that a mental or physical element contributes to the win. Skill games are ones like Chess, Rummy, and our favorite Yahtzee. Games of Chance are ones like Musical Chairs, Sorry, and Chutes and Ladders.
Show good sportsmanship; There are many examples that fall into this category. What sticks out most to us are always giving your best effort, and having a good attitude, if your kids are older and are playing more athletic games, shaking hands before and after games, supporting teammates with positive encouragement, and never criticizing anyone for trying.
Set an example for your child; I know we are talking about games right now, but our children watch our every move. So, how we react to a ref call, or the guy that just cuts us off in traffic, or the grocery line that is just moving too slow we need to be mindful of our own reactions and the things we say. If we expect the kids to have refined skills we play a vital part in that learning. After all, we are the parents and what we say goes! Right
