What games can you play with a child who is a sore loser?

Question

My friend and I are in our early 20's. We have a similar aged friend who has a 14 year old sister. We all like board games, but it really is hell to play with the girl. She tries to change the rules to benefit herself, cheats when she thinks we're not looking, gets sulky if she's less advanced or has less points than the rest of us, and accuses everyone else of cheating if she doesn't win. What are some good board/table games that we can play with her where there is no winner, or anything like that? Thanks for the assistance.

PS: We would try to tell her she can't act like that, but alas, she is not our family, so we have no right to scold her.

Thank you for the advice everyone, but alas, I cannot follow the majority of it. She is told, by all three of us that she is being a brat, but only gets more huffy. We don't let her win if we can help it, despite the complaining. But it honestly is fun to have four players instead of threee, which is why I was asking if there are any "no one wins, no one loses" games. We don't do jigsaw puzzles because one of us is a perfectionist and can't deal with messing it up once it's finished. It absolutely HAS to be framed afterwards, which is really a bother -_^

Perhaps I should have asked, what activities, not neccessarily games, can we do with her that will not rile up her overly competitive spirit?

Answer 1

It doesn't matter if she is part of your family or not, if she is participating in games with you, she needs to quit acting like a 5 year old.
She needs to learn the lesson that you don't win all the time in life, and that attempting to cheat in life will only make things worse.
Next time you catch her cheating, or she starts throwing a temper tantrum, tell her to quit acting like a baby. That if she wants to play games with you she needs to quit being such a spoiled brat.

Answer 2

If it were me, I would purposefully lure her into games and beat the crap out of her every time I had the chance. She needs to learn that her tactics are unacceptable and that losing is a part of life. She will get mad at first but you can help her to understand that alas it is just a board game. Its not so much about scolding as it is about helping her to handle disappointment. She can choose to play or not to play but she should know that others will play fairly and will not hold back just because she has difficulty in this area.

Answer 3

I disagree. I believe you have every right to tell her she's being a poor sport and to shape up or she'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who'll play games with her if she continues this wretched behavior.
In a pinch, you could actually start a game without her, and when she asks to join, blackmail her into better conduct ... "Ok, but only if you don't get all huffy with us," or something to that effect.

Games can be tough...the whole point of a game is to have a delineated winner. She simply needs to learn that not EVERY game is going to end to her advantage and that not everyone else wants to lose to a spoiled, cheating little brat.

Answer 4

A girl who is 14 needs to be mature and she is acting like a kid or more of a psycho. What I would do if I were you is just get away from her and ignore her so that she'll start to think for herself. The girl's parents are also to understand and act wise but they're not. Otherwise all of you talk to her so 'cause in my experience it has worked very well.
Good Luck and I will look for some board games where no one wins.

Answer 5

Bull...There's no rule that says you must allow her to play by HER rules. You're not reprimanding or scolding...merely stating fact, which will probably come as a very big surprise to her.
But apparantly she needs it! She's in for a rude awaking down the road, when life smacks her in the face.
Since a game is a game....that makes it an excellent teaching item. If she doesnt like the rules, she doesnt get to play.

Answer 6

I'd say quit trying to please her. And yes, you have every right to scold her, she is a child and you are an adult. Family ties don't matter in this case. You may not have a right to punish her, but you do have the right and even the obligation to correct her.

Simply tell her if she's going to be a brat, then she can't play with the grown ups. Simple as that. Or just don't invite your friend anymore.

Answer 7

Well as for games to let her win, I would say checkers and tic tac toe...
Those are easy enough to allow yourself to lose to...
Or how about Pictionary where you draw pictures and guess what they are...
My advice is though to tell her no one will like her if she keeps up with her attitude like that...
Tell her she will not have many friends at school and no boy will like her if she doesn't start to play fair and let others win too...
Just my advice from being a mom for 18 years and a step-mom for about 6 years...

Answer 8

Do not play with her. She is old enough to behave like an adult. if she wants to have adult interaction, she has to earn it. If they want to play, say no. if they press the matter say, I don't cheat and I don;t like her saying that i do.
I know someone who is overly competitive and who will cheat occasionally as well. I told this person straight up, "If you are overly competitive, pretty soon no one will want to play with you, is that what you want?"

Answer 9

To tell you the truth see needs a proper spanking from the parents to act more her age. and play the x's and o's game and lose to here all the time lol its the easiet and simplest game to lose so easily

Answer 10

the hell with it...let her win....who cares if ya win or not...just let her win, keep her happy and don't play games with her anymore. ...She ain't gonna be hanging with you much longer is she....come on, you're in your 20's, she 14...go to a bar and play those games