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Monday, April 26, 2010

Jacks {Mama Braggin’ Monday}

Well, I’m sorry that you didn’t hear much from me last week, but you probably won’t hear a lot from me in the coming week as well.  I hate to admit it, but I got a speeding ticket a while back and now, most of my spare computer time when I might have written for the blog is taken up with an online defensive driving course. 

It is a beating, to say the least.

But I wanted to share this with you. 

Sarah received a set of jacks as a party favor from her teacher last Wednesday as the class celebrated her teacher’s birthday.  The sad thing is she had no idea what they were or any clue how to play with them.

photoSo, I showed her and we talked about them for a while as she tried her hand at it.  We eventually set a couple of towels down to act as a barrier to keep the ball from rolling quite so far away every single time.  Before long, she really had a pretty good handle on it.

As she played, it dawned on me, and I told her, that this is a game that her grandmothers and great-grandmother would have played when they were girls her age. 

And as I thought about this fact, I found it a little sad that she had not heard of jacks before.  But it’s really no wonder with the advent of t.v., video games and computers.  I sat and imagined a little girl having to attend a meeting of some kind with her mother 50 years ago versus today.  50 years ago, that little girl might have carried a small doll, a book and a bag of jacks with her for entertainment.  Today’s girl might pack a book, but more than likely would just bring her Nintendo DS. 

So call me a little nostalgic, but it did my heart a little bit of good that day to see my daughter playing a game so simple as jacks and I felt like it gave us a little connection to the past.  The good ole’ days, if you will. 

Have you encountered a moment like this with your kids?  Do you encourage older games that require no electricity?  I challenge you to find one.  It may do your heart, and theirs, a little good.

4 Comments:

Melinda said...

I agree! Four of my kids spent several hours on Saturday afternoon playing the board game Risk. One even commented that it was the perfect way to spend a rainy, cold Saturday!

Wendy said...

I get that same twinge when I see my little ones playing on the computer. I feel like they're missing out on something I can't quite find the words for.

Every once in a while, we used to spend a whole day and evening without tv, radio, stereo, computer or video games (and sometimes without the lights, even...we'd break out the oil lamps!) We had a really good time when we did it, but we've fallen out of the habit since the little ones came along. Guess I need to talk to hubby about starting it up again!

Unknown said...

Oh I love that!! My son recently wanted a hula hoop from the store and every couple days goes out in the back yard and does it (he is so good at it - crazy) and also plays with it just rolling it around. So simple. He loves board games and cards - we need to play more often with him (being an only child means that he can't play unless we play - poor guy!).

I love Wendy's idea. I'm gonna think about that.

Sigh - those pesky speeding tickets. No fun! Hope you have a good week anyway! :)

Iron Girl!! said...

Donna,
You spoke to my heart this morning. Jacks were my absolute favorite game growing up! I can't believe I haven't taught my girls how to play...shame on me.

You're so right about the activities of the children today (mine included). I need to introduce our girls to some new (old) games and hobbies for sure.

One thing we have done with our girls who are 10 and 7 is to teach them basic stitching. I'm hoping to teach my oldest daughter how to attach binding to a quilt this summer too.

Love your topic today! Thank you for the gentle reminder. :)