Archive for the ‘Parenting’ Category

Board Games: Adult Fun?

Friday, September 14th, 2012

Pee Your Pants Fun?

Ask someone, anyone, about playing a board game and you’ll likely get: a face-softening wistful look as their minds eye returns them to a comforting childhood memory. It’s like smelling roast turkey or pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.

I saw the same memory flash this morning when I asked my exercise partner if she’d ever played board games. When I asked co-workers about them, bam, you could tell they went to the same ‘grinning like a 5 year old’ place.

That’s what board games are to many of us, a fond memory. Games bring back pleasant family centered childhood experiences. Or maybe competitive battles with friends or siblings without possibility of injury, except to our pride…

Board Games while traveling

During a recent meeting of financial writers, Average Joe from Free Financial Advisor, shared his enthusiasm with board games-as a collector and practitioner.

He even brought one, carefully chosen for this particular group of people.

Fortunately, we had a table in the hotel bar a little separate from other patrons.

We got rowdy. Not rowdy like we were ripping clothes off, Prince Harry style, (heaven forbid) but loud and laughing like tearful hyenas rowdy. The wonderful Blonde Wheat Ale we were enjoying only slightly (?) contributed to the enjoyment.

We were sooo close to being the star of a Depends commercial…

Board Games At Home

Board Games

We had so much fun I have decided to find a few games that would be fun to play when we have friends over.

When the kids and their spouses come home, we enjoy playing Canasta but won’t it be fun to try something new?

Besides, my run of bad luck at Canasta needs a break. I hit Google and got some information and of course will run it all by my board game guru, Average Joe, prior to purchasing.

Here’s what I found out about my new fascination.

Board Games Trivia:

Come in all sizes and shapes from online to the real thing-some even with boards.
They come in categories like party, trivia or strategy games.
There are new games and re-done old games.
There are games for Smarts Asses that let you answer out of turn.
Give you the opportunity to trade and build in mythical worlds.
Almost all require an imagination.
Can improve your spelling.

And that’s just a short list.

Would I be a good personal finance blogger if I didn’t pass along information about

What Board Games Costs and Where to Buy Them?

All the big sites like Amazon and Walmart sell games.
Prices online range from $15 to over $200.
Game popularity and rarity definitely effects price.
Thrift stores and eBay are great sources of used games.

Sources for Board Game Information and Reviews:

80 board games are reviewed by appropriate age and number of players.
For general information including history of games, demographics and how to make your own.
For the ADD version of board game information. They seem to have it all, including a newsletter.

Bored with movies, crowded theaters and stale popcorn that cost a weeks salary?

Jump on the board game bandwagon. Do your research and invite a few friends over.

You can sit around and share old board game experiences as you make some new ones.

Reader Questions:

What about you? Which game was your favorite growing up? Now what’s your fav?

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Posted in innovative ideas, Parenting, personal finance, Quality of Life | 7 Comments »

The Boomerang Generation: Are You At Risk?

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Grown Kids Coming Back Home

Cil Burke BSN

Both of our children have, at different times, warned us that they would be returning home to live if they were not able to find work after a lay off or other life change.

So far, we’ve taken the news philosophically and with open arms, only to have the return called off at the last minute. (thank you, thank you….)

In other words, a job or affordable rental space turned up before the kid made it all the way home. We did have an unbelievable amount of clothing and furniture appear in a spare bedroom, but nope, no new permanent resident.

We aren’t alone. For generations, parents have raised their children to leave the nest-and make it on their own.

It’s not an original problem for the fledgelings to return to the nest, but it appears that it’s happening in greater numbers recently.

Almost Ready

Why?

The economy.
A lack of hiring.
Student loan debt.

There are signs that the sluggish recovery is improving a bit, nothing stellar, but not as bad.

Why shouldn’t we be hopeful? Why not? Does feeling miserable really help anyone? Of course not.

Even so, as things are now, 3 in 10 young adults between 25 and 34 have moved back home. Ready or not, here they come.

Many times you get more than your kid too! Cats, dogs, significant others, in-laws, various hangers on…..(Have I said I love empty nest?)

They’re broke and possibly broken, and looking at a dim future. What do we do about it?

How to manage with a boomerang in the home:

It’s pretty easy to find information on how to incorporate these returning fledglings into your life. I like my children as grown ups (as teens it was touch and go) and don’t want to see our relationship suffer if they end up back home full time.

Sheryl Nance-Nash at Forbes offered survival tips for those who re-acquire their spawn.

Set a deadline. Decide if you have a boomerang or a true ‘failure to launch’. Say it out loud, when the time for sponging has to end. Don’t accept hanging around the house all day reverting to the habits of a teen.
Establish boundaries and address issues up front and not in a punitive way. These are not your babies (they’ll always be your babies, but…..) any more.
Develop a plan of action. Become a coach that assists in mapping out realistic career goals-if you can’t be tough, find a mentor.
Keep ‘em talking. Set a schedule and don’t forget to sit and discuss the progress. Don’t assume your little darling is a self starter. They may have failed to launch, but it’s up to you to re-direct and help them get back on a forward path.
Don’t be a financial facilitator. Their debt is just that. Theirs. Our little darlings need our support but it does not encourage independence to relieve them of their responsibilities. Dependency begets more dependency…

Parenting is Important

At the Millionaire Nurse Blog, we have discussed from time to time issues related to parenting. It has become evident to us that our role as a parent evolves and yet constantly shifts, also. Parenting from 300 miles ( or 2,000) is not the same as when they are back in their old bed room leaving their shoes and beer can by the sofa in the den.

Reader Questions:

How is it for you who have them back under your roof? Does it seem as if they ever left?

{Photo Credit: mikebaird c.c.}