Last week my 12 year old daughter and I sat down to play a game of scrabble. As the game progressed, she got a few very high scoring letters, with which she made a word. In spite of that she did not get high points for that word, as she didn’t use it on a “double word/ triple word/letter”. Using it in such a place would have increased her points three fold. I told her she could make some other word for now and try to make this word in her next turn.
She did not like my suggestion and was fine with her choice. Her question that followed surpri
sed me!! She asked me “Amma, why is it always so important to win all the time? Can’t we just play the game to enjoy and learn a few new words in the process? I want to enjoy my game. I don’t want to play to win “.
I really didn’t know how to react. But her question left me thinking…….
radhikasreflection 
Well, the only thing that ever changes with time is time….
In our younger days… society used to always preach “Why we should win”
Today’s generation perhaps has more liberty… more options… more freedom…. in questioning “Why should we Win”
And all change is for the good…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Change is always good………what is encouraging is the shift in the mindset of the younger generation of the thoughts, attitudes or ideas from the ones that we were conditioned to and grew up with !
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also got scrabble for my 7 year old and we are loving it, brings back my days. Just enjoy and in the process they learn. Also buy short stories and read it to them daily.
LikeLike
Thanks Subhash….. early reading habits sets the foundation. Both my kids are voracious readers now 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s so nice to hear, I got her addicted to O Henry and Tolstoy. I have to sit with her though.
LikeLike
Great….. she will thank you for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hey, that was a beautiful thought from a 12 year old! winning and losing are perceptions, but enjoying what one does is most important!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, very true……I have learnt to enjoy little things from her 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
hmmm. that’s nice! same pinch. have two daughters, and we four (2 + 2) often exchange notes on how to live life right… haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so nice to know…..just as we teach our kids many things, we as parents should also learn from them !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
hmmm..
LikeLike
We learn so much from children, I wonder when people leave behind playing for fun ? Fortunately everyone do not do that 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Somewhere in the process of growing up everything becomes competitive. We forget just playing for fun!! Thank you Lakshmi for stopping by!
LikeLike
True Radhika! Be it games, or studies, knowingly or unknowingly winning becomes the important aspect…Gone are our days, when games was fun and so was school…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately so true. People have forgotten to play games just for fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life has become a competition, whether it is studies, games or anything else. Mothers compete with other mothers, children with other children and so on and so forth. But when it is a competition do we still enjoy the game as much as when it is not?
She had a nugget of wisdom in her thoughts, Radhika.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoying a game, or a class is long forgotten. Today everything is competition driven.
At times I feel she has more clarity of thoughts then me!
LikeLike
Now that’s one smart kid, just like her mom…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Savio. She has a lot of clarity of thought while I am still a confused head 😝
LikeLike
Really that is important that we,adults should think like this…we are so busy in running behind a victory that we don’t realize what all we are missing…….this article made me think of what all i have done and what all i am doing…Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was also in the same boat till my daughter asked me the question. It has really made me think. Glad you could relate to it too. Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much wisdom in such a small kid, Amazing. Yes we need to learn from their innovative minds breaking all limitations. Good bless her
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Meenakshi. Yes many times children can be great teachers in life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I learn so much from my students
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful Meenakshi. One who is open to learning from all, is sure to grow a lot in life!👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree! 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the world would be a better place if more people thought like your daughter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure it would. Sometimes children teach us profound lessons. Thanks Kate!
LikeLiked by 1 person