Snowmeggedon 2021 has provided a great opportunity for creativity! This is game #3 that has been completed while being cooped up inside. I have a couple of others in the works - one that I'm really excited to see come together. I'm waiting for my little artist to finish her work. But, this one was a really fun one to put together.
This is an interactive game to help families open up communication, identify problem areas, and allows for a non-confrontational way to voice concerns. It is written with language to allow it to be used by any family constellation—avoiding terms such as mother, father, brother, and sister. The cards are designed to address a myriad of issues, such as the division of workload, who is in charge, how the family overcomes challenges, and the communication style in the home.
This game can be used as an assessment tool, as many diverse issues can appear. Counselors should also pay attention to how the family members behave while playing. Do they encourage one another? Do they give hostile body language based on answers they do not like? Do they respond with empathy or the lack thereof? It can also offer an opportunity to model appropriate behavior and communication.
This game can be played in individual sessions, as a family, or even in group counseling. Individual sessions allow the child to process and communicate family dynamics at home. This could be used in family sessions to allow each family member to share different perspectives on family functioning. It can be insightful how each family member may have a different opinion on the family dynamics. In a group setting, this game could offer insight into how different families function.
Game card topics include:
Elephant in the Room: Are there obvious issues in the home that no one is allowed to talk about? Are there taboo topics? These cards help bring awareness and ownership to these issues.
Conductor: Who is in charge at home? Is there one parent who stands out as the disciplinarian? Are the children running the show? These cards help families gain insight as to who is pulling the strings in the home.
Trials by Fire: These cards challenge players to consider how the family as a unit handles difficult situations. When one person is in crisis do the others help? This also allows opportunity for players to communicate what they need from others during hard times.
Under the Big Top: These cards focus on family functioning while at home. Where does each family member spend their time at home? Is it a culture of separation or togetherness? Does one person dominate the space or is there equal sharing? Who does the chores or makes sure they are done by others?
Dinner Time: These cards focus on dinner time challenges and connection. What happens when someone refuses to eat their food? Are table manners expected? What are favorite meals and restaurants?
Explosions: These cards help identify how the family handles conflict. The cards prompt role-playing of arguments, triggers for blow-ups, and ways the family resolves conflict.
Monkeying Around: These prompts focus on fun, connections between family members, and desires for connection. Who does the child seek out for connection? What activities would they do?
On the Road: These cards give insight as to routines, activities out of the home, and places the family goes for fun.
Overall, this is a dynamic, fun-filled game that offers insight into family dynamics and functioning. It could be used with a wide age range, from 5-18. Whether you aim to use it for assessment or processing situations, it can provide many avenues to explore. Additionally, it is available as a hard copy, a PDF download, or an online version for telehealth.
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