This times certainly are challenging ones… especially, when it comes to our social needs. While I have been utilizing Facebook and Instagram for my gratitude lists and my “Daily Jelly Bean Jar,” where I post a trivial daily challenge using the things lying around my house… I am honestly, more than fine being at home (when I am not out on the front lines).
My teenagers, however, developmentally appropriate in their egotistical ways, are miserable! Socializing is such a key element of their lives at this stage, that without it, they are not only pushing my every limit to bend the rules (which I’m not), but they are also battling mood shifts of irritability, anger/frustration and depression. I am honestly very concerned about suicide rates during this time, particularly, from our adolescents. Getting them outside is key-and I often have to force it. And moving their bodies is also crucial- easier to accomplish with boys than girls, I find, but nonetheless a necessary step. Solo bike riding, dog walks and hikes have been a life-saver at our house.
While they Facetime their friends plenty, this is no change from their previous habits. So, they have lost the social interaction at school and in the neighborhood and gained nothing. But this is what I have learned these past two weeks: Togetherness is not dependent on location but instead on intention. We can connect and socialize without being in one’s immediate presence. (I had a therapy session with my Best Friend- locked in my car, sitting in the driveway with a glass of wine…and it was fabulous!) This time that we have been given, is a gift. Use it!
Having a history riddled with unexpected loss, I have always been very conscious of making the best of the present day. This Covid-19 crisis has made that even more apparent. And every time I head into the hospital, I ask for the gift of continued time with my family. I’ve heard it said… and I’ll say it again… “You are not stuck at home, you are SAFE at home.” Reframing is an effective tool my friends… learn it!
So, rather than to complain and get on each other’s nerves… I encourage you to use this precious time to reconnect and have fun in a previously, non-traditional way! And on those hard days, give each other a little extra grace… we’re in a global pandemic, afterall… stop expecting normalcy.
For mutual benefit… I have created here, a list of games that can be played over Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, etc. Some of these games would be better enjoyed if you do a little prep work and create the space, board, or clues in advance, before you make the call. So, message your friends/family, create a plan, settle on a time… and have fun! We’ve done many of these over the last two weeks and it really is a good way to spend the evening and to connect with friends and family that we are missing.
- Charades– as long as the camera is focused on the person who is acting out the word/phrase, everyone can play… no matter what side of the screen they are on!
- Hangman– all you need is paper and a pen!
- Pictionary– Create a drawing space and focus the camera there. Before playing, each household can get their own set of cards (if they own the game) or create their own (in advance) to draw from (you can’t draw your own). I suggest breaking into groups of 2-3 people per team so that each drawer has only 1-2 guessers. When a lot of people are yelling out guesses over phones and screens, it can get a little confusing.
- Trivial Pursuit– As long as someone has the board and each household has a die, each group of players can roll, and the masterboard can keep track of the playing pieces as per norm.
- “Watch ya’ Mouth”, or a similar dental mouth piece game, has players trying to pronounce ridiculous phrases, and can be be enjoyed even if only one house has the game. Those without the game can simply guess. We even played a flash-version where we used the same person, saying the same phrase and called various people via video call. Whoever answered the phone was given a quick explanation for the call and then timed as soon as the phrase was said. We recorded the time it took each caller to guess the phrase correctly and we texted everyone the results and winner. Spontaneous fun!
- Battleship– can be played the traditional way if both callers have the boards… but if not, the board is really only a simple grid. Draw it out on paper and mark your ships (1-10 horizontally and A-J vertically with dots at each coordinate. Photo copy at home to save yourself additional work).
- Twenty Questions– an oldie but goodie that merely requires each person to think of and then write down a word. The other players ask “yes” or “no” questions and try to guess correctly before their 20 question limit runs out.
- True or False– One person gives a statement, the other players guess if it is a true or false statement. It could be a simple statement about one’s self, or a little known trivia fact. The score is kept on the wrong answers. The first person to get 5 answers wrong, loses.
- Guess that Movie Line– Before you convene, write down a few signature movie lines. When you gather virtually, take turns guessing what movie the line came from. Guess the movie on the first try with no clues- 5 points. With one clue- 3 points. With two clues- 1 point. If no one can guess the movie after two clues, the answer is revealed, no one gets points and you move on to the next player.
- “Would you Rather?”– Play using the cards, if you have the game. If you don’t, search “Would you Rather questions” online or create your own. Many of them are so giggle worthy and/or bizarrely thought-provoking, that we have enough fun answering them, that we don’t even keep score.
- Build a Story and Memorize it– The story starts with one person saying one sentence/phrase. The next person has to re-state that sentence/phrase and then add their own. Going in rotation, everyone has to remember all of what was said before them, in order to add their own sentence/phrase. Make it just for fun -or- make it competitive and assign a recorder to write down the story as it unfolds and keep track of whether or not people remember correctly. If you miss a sentence, your turn ends. If you remember it all, you add a sentence and gain a point. The person who remembers the most, adds the most, and thus wins with the most points.
- Personality Quiz- create or download a set of personality questions. Pass the quizzes along to all the participants and have them fill it out in advance. Starting with person 1, question 1, the remaining players take turns guessing the 1st person’s answers. Play for fun or for points. 1 point goes to the first person to yell out each correct answer. Or a more civilized version- take turns going around the circle to guess. If the first guesser gets it wrong, the guesses continue around the rotation of players until someone gets it right or you return to the owner of the test, who reveals their answer and then no point is assigned for that question.
These time calls for creativity and thinking out of the box. Use this time to grow! Stay safe, stay sane, wash your hands, and stay the f*ck home!
