Uno

Did you ever decide to try something new and then wonder why? Did you ever just want to have fun and things didn't go as planned? I thought something was wrong with us. Us being my husband and me. Why couldn't we just play a simple game.....in a smiling, fun, easy going sort of way? Instead, our family game of Uno went something like this.

(I haven't decided on blogworthy names for everyone yet but they will be forthcoming when I am enlightened). In this post, Jedi fighter is 3 year old boy, Honey is 6 year old girl.

Here honey, hold your cards like this. Laying them out face up lets everyone see what you have.
okay, it is your turn. No, you need to lay a red card or a number 2.

Jedi fighter, it's your turn, can you come up to the table? Put the other toys away if you want to play the game. Okay, lay this card.

Play continue quite uneventfully for three players...total 30 seconds.

Then,...."Honey (who has proceeded to lay every card face down on the table in response to my last request) it is your turn.........please hold your cards in your hand, you can see them better if you hold them in your hand."

Honey: "I know I have a blue card......somewhere......."

Jedi fighter, come back to the table we are waiting for you....you don't need an elephant when you're playing Uno.......sigh........okay it's your turn, no the color is blue. Oh, why are you crying, it's okay honey just pick a card from the pile if you don't have blue.....it's okay maybe you can go next time.

Play continues quickly and swiftly for three players to the tune of a wailing 3 1/2 year old.

Honey, where are your cards!??? How will you see them under the table? Pick up your cards, we're waiting for you.....................No the color is now red, look to see if you have a RED card. Okay then choose a card from the pile.

Jedi fighter, it's your turn. Please take the elephant off the table so you can see the cards. Do you have a red or a draw two........It's okay.........maybe you'll be able to go next time.....don't cry.

Next three players.....done.....no time!

So, you know the questions. The questions that nag at a Mom and a Dad......tell me, why do we do it??? Why do we torture ourselves? Is it because we enjoy the frustration? Is it because I enjoy seeing the vein popping on my hubby's neck? What is wrong with us???? We can't play a simple game of Uno!!!!

Where are you GOING? You don't NEED your doll. It's your turn....I know Jedi fighter has an elephant....IF YOU WANT TO PLAY COME BACK TO THE TABLE......NOW! We.......are......waiting......for.......you!

Sooooo, what you ask is the moral to my story? Is it, "Don't play cards with your family???" of course not you know that.....Is it, "It's not worth the trouble, so don't try?" I know, I am insulting your intelligence......Okay the reason for me posting this is because I, (and I imagine many other parents have also), thought that something was wrong with us, me, my husband, my children. Okay I didn't really think anything was wrong with me....husband, kids,....yes. I thought something was dreadfully wrong. We can't even enjoy a fun easy going game. What I didn't realize is that there are many parents playing Uno or Candyland (For the benefit of your mental health, I hope you also established the rule that the specialty cards ESPECIALLY the plumb and candy cane...DON'T go back in the deck once they're used!!!!) who are feeling the SAME PAIN.....the SAME agony.....the same!! You are NOT alone.....I, my friends am with you.....So the next time you look into your game closet and think,...."It would be nice to play a game as a family for some nice relaxing fun"......we can laugh.....because we know this is God's way of punishing us for all the times our parents played with us........LOL......and.....THEY will play with their children....he, he, he.