Photo Credit: Screen shot HowTo.comPhoto Credit: Screen shot HowTo.com

If you’re a grandparent, it’s safe to say that you did not play electronic games as a child. Because of this, it’s hard to understand how an entire generation got welded to their electronic devices.

Chances are, those remotes in their hands feel like a wedge between you two. And, the truth is, they are. Unless you are your grandchild’s caregiver, you have a limited time to spend together. 

It’s hard to fight a video game for the attention of your grandchild.

It is a losing battle. In fact, one you really don’t need to fight. It’s always better to replace something undesirable (for whatever reason) with something more desirable and meaningful, rather than just taking it away. Or complaining about it and letting the wedge grow into a wall.

Instead, give them some games that you can enjoy together. These games have stood the test of time. They are interactive, and some have the potential of becoming a treasured hobby you can share. Others, like Marbles, have annual national championships that offer scholarships.

From the National Marbles Tournament

The “mibsters”(marble shooters) will compete for national honors, college scholarships and numerous prizes and awards. The mibsters will play more than a 1,200 games over the four-day tournament. Champions selected from local tournaments held in cities and counties around the United States represent thousands of competitors and will converge on Wildwood for a week of serious marble competition and fun on amusement rides and boardwalk attractions.The National Marbles Tournament was first held in 1922. The national committee operates the tournament which is composed of a group of volunteer men & women from various walks of life, from around the country that have a common interest in the game of marbles.”

Unless you are lucky or were an extremely studious child, you lost your marbles  a long time ago. You can replace them here.

In case it’s been a few years, here’s a quick refresher. 

 

For less than ten dollars, you can enrich your grandchild’s life with treasured memories playing with you on the floor–a child’s favorite place in the whole world.

You can also build your collections together. Finding the right marble, a special marble, a lucky marble–all make for memorable and inexpensive birthday gifts they will treasure. 

If you’ve been toying with the idea of hosting a cousin’s camp, or family reunion, why not have your own marble tournament?

Also, don’t discount the value of the life lessons in playing “for keeps.” Keep in mind this is a generation that is growing up in a world where everyone gets a participation trophy. Gentle life lessons about winning and losing, around a circle of marbles, can have a lasting impact. Even if they don’t see it until much later in life.

 

 

 

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