Why This Therapist Mom Loves Board Games

We are spending a lot of time this summer doing a variety of fun board games. I am finding that it is good for the entire family.

Here are my reasons:

  1. It is a much-needed break from electronics. My kids obsess over electronics. In particular, my 8-year-old who has ADHD. He gets hyperfocused on wanting to watch TV, or play a computer game or Nintendo. It helps kids to learn how to follow directions. I have an 8-year-old boy and a 6-year-old boy, and both of them struggle with following directions. One of them is easily distracted and the other wants to do things his way often. Board games are helping them to slow down and actually use their listening skills. I love it.
  2. It helps kids to regulate emotions. When we play board games there is fun, excitement, annoyance with the rules, frustration if someone else wins, etc. It gives them the practice to feel all of these emotions and learn how to turn down the intensity of their emotions.

3. It’s fun! Laughter helps us to reduce stress. I love watching my husband and son play Jenga. They get excited, they laugh, and they go back and forth about who is going to win. When my two sons play “What Animal Am I?” they laugh a lot! I definitely notice an increase in silliness! I might also add that I remember playing board games even in my teens and it was a safe way to have fun.

4. It stimulates the brain. It stimulates the areas of your brain that are responsible for memory, decision making, and problem-solving. It also enhances creativity.

5. It is an opportunity to practice patience-playing board games takes patience and strategy. You have to slow down and think about what your next move is.

6. It strengthens relationships. We all gather around the table together to play board games together. Board games often require cooperation and teamwork. It is a nice way to spend quality time as a family this summer!

Some of our current favorites:

Jenga, card games (battle, fish, old maid), Connect 4, animal dominos, and What Animal Am I?

Which board game is your favorite?

Kelley Lockhart-Delaune
Kelley Lockhart Delaune was born and raised In Metairie, Lousiana. She is married to her husband and has two boys, Roman (10) and Remy (8). Kelley received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from LSU and her Masters in Social Work from Tulane in 2002. Kelley is a psychotherapist in private practice. She owns Modern Therapy and Wellness, a group practice. Her and her team focus on helping others to heal themselves and their relationships. You can find her mental health and wellness blog at: https://moderntherapyandwellness.com/. In her spare time, you can find her working out, drinking coffee, going to the beach, cursing too much, staying up too late and writing.

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