When you play a game with your children, do you let them win?

Question

Or fight to the death?

Answer 1

sometimes, but they have to learn that they cant win all the time. I played snap with my grand-daughter and she complained every time i won so i decided to let her win every game and i never once even tried to say snap. She finally said "you're not even trying" I replied "well, you want to win all the time" I explained that there's no fun if you win all the time. She understood and we went on to play normal. She' 5 years old.

Answer 2

It depends what the game is. If it involves something physical like football or tennis then it is only fair that you should let the child win (as adults are generally much bigger and stronger than children). However if it is a computer game like Tekken 3, you should fight to the death. Many children are very good on computer games and you should not under-estimate them. If you make it easy for them, they will lose interest and will want to stop playing.

Having said all that - it also depends on the type of child. Are they natural-born winners or aren't they bothered about competition?

Answer 3

Its funny I have often thought about how other people do in this situation. I tend to let them win more then not. We play a game and they win the first two round, I'll come back around and win the third so that I don't seem like I'm throwing the game, then let them win the next two or three. I repeat this cycle until they are satisfied they can beat daddy at the race car game or what ever.

Answer 4

I'm a part time nanny and been a babysitter for about 7 years, I also have a younger brother and in my experience it's best to let them win a little to boost their confidence but don't over do it, eventually they need to learn they can lose and won't win at everything. It's a fine line, but it also helps create a competitive edge in a child to beat them. If you're playing a game that either takes stratedgy or knowledge, ask them where they think they made a mistake, if it's a luck of the draw like Candyland then just explain that it's up to the cards. For a game like checkers ask them along the way where is their best move, games like that build character as well as analyzation skills.

Answer 5

Rarely if ever do I LET them win.

My parents used to always let them win but they have learned the "fight to the death" motto!

My husband refuses to play games with them at all. He is a poor sport/loser.

With the PS2 I annoy them. I constantly ask questions. That really bugs my older son. He is in it for the WIN! He hates to lose. Doesn't like to share either.

The younger son just plays. He doesn't care what the outcome is! He does get frustrated when things don't go his way at first. He plays a little watches TV a little then back to playing games again!

Answer 6

I never did. I may not have played with my best ability all the time, when they were little, but I have never just 'let them win.' I didn't feel that doing so would help them learn the lessons about life that they'd need to function in the real world as adults.

I know that some folks argue about how it's good for their self-esteem to win, but I think its a better lesson if they've actually won fair and square. By learning to stretch their thinking and abilities to find the stuff inside themselves that is required to get there. Many skills are developed that way; strategy, reasoning, timing, logic - all lessons that will help them to find their way through other areas of life.

My kids are grown now, and they remember clearly the first time they actually beat Mom at a game - with my daughter it was Monopoly, and she was 20 years old. She still laughs and dances around telling the story! But it took her eight hours to do it! Haha.

When my son was 15, he made up his mind he was going to win a game against me, and he didn't care which one it was. We played five games of Stratego, six games of Battleship, and four hands of Canasta before he finally won by a small margin. That satisfied him, and I was glad, because we were both exhausted! LOL. But he made up his mind, he persevered, and he accomplished his goal.

They love to play games with me still, and part of the reason is that they know without a doubt that if they win, they've really WON.

Answer 7

I Let My Son Win Because He Gets This Adorable Smile At My Defeat And He Feels Confident.The Down Side Is That He Rubs It In My Face Constantly.

Answer 8

when my oldest was younger I would sometimes, but most of the time and now all of the time I play fair. I don't let him win. Kids these days need to learn how to win and loose. If they are always winning and don't realize that their parent let them, how are they going to learn how to take a loss. how are they going to improve in life if they think they are doing everything perfect, they need to build some self motivation. Even playing games can do that much for a child. give your that opportunity in life early.
blessed be

Answer 9

It's good to win some of the games as it helps children learn to deal with both winning and loosing... however, when my mother play snap or a stupid game called Whatchamacallit..... it was definitely a fight to the death!..... I still have the mental scars today!!!

Answer 10

I do take it easy on the kids when playing them games, sometimes I let them win, sometimes I don't that way they learn to be gracious losers after all the real world won't let them always "win". I am more likely to let them win when they are playing their best and more likely to beat them when they aren't paying attention as I am also trying to teach them that no matter what they do they should do it to the best of their ability.

Answer 11

Avoid fighting to the death, but i wouldnt LET them win. Play fairly, and teach them never to give up on their goals in life.