Game Rules: Big Changes Over Time

As we grow up, the rules of the games we play change little by little. When we first start playing games, people typically let us win, because it's easier to let the small child win than to put up with the screaming and fighting that comes from losing. Eventually we learn that life isn't always fair, and that we don't always win. Until we reach that point in our maturity, the rules of a game change little by little, until we actually learn to play the game the correct way whether we win or lose.

Being the little person that I am, I tend to adapt the rules of a game based on who I am playing with. When I play with people my age, all of the rules apply, and there's no whining or fighting about it, but when I babysit, or go to my 4-H Mentoring, sometimes I forget that kids rarely play by the rules. Forgetting something like that is almost like forgetting about an assignment for school. It's not the end of the world, but if you forget life becomes a little more difficult.

Last week for my mentoring, the girl that I mentor wanted to go play kick ball at the school with her brother and his friend. The request didn't seem too extreme, so I told them that we could go play. At first it was just the four of us, which was fine, but then two other kids who were already playing at the school decided to join us.

Having extra players isn't a bad thing, but when you have to adjust the rules to protect the ego of a six year old, it's not quite as fun. We split into different teams, and one team ended up way ahead, because the six year old found a loophole to every out that we tried to get him with. He said that we didn't get him before he hit the base, and that the ball hit him too hard when one of the players would try and tag him out, so basically he just ran around the kickball diamond, and racked up 30 points before he had to head home.

When I play with people my age, that doesn't happen. If somebody wants to get you out, and hits you with the ball, you are out. End of story. If you play with somebody who is particularly competitive such as a boy, they will make sure that you know you are out by making sure the ball hits you, and making sure that you feel the ball hit you.

When you are vertically impaired, you may end up switching from the little kid rules to the actual rules quite frequently, so just be prepared for it. Be compassionate and patient with the kids when you babysit, or if you have kids of your own, make sure to be patient with them, because they really can't help it. They may have been taught the rules, but for a little kid winning a game is basically everything, whereas adults may want to win, but it won't feel like the end of the world if they lose.
#LittleGameChangers #WinOrLose #ShortGirlProbs #GrowingUp #ShortStories
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