Should I play Risk with my son?

You must play Risk with your son.

Every Day

I say you play with him, he’s only young once.

I would not play the game with him if you hate it. He will probably notice that you are bored/frustrated. There must be a game both of you could play together that you both will like.

When I was growing up, my dad was the game player in the household. I still have EVERY game he bought for me and my son has them now. For my birthday or Christmas, he would give me a budget and let me pick out one new game, so I have quiet a collection. Risk is one of them and I turned out to quite good at it and could beat out people in college that I considered much more brainier than i was. I learned a lot of Geography and strategy from playing it, but there was NO way I would have enjoyed it playing it with my mom, it was just not her thing. The only game she would play with me was Scrabble, which my dad showed no interest in at all. I agree that Risk can be quite long and boring if that type of game doesn’t interest you. I agree with john powell on this one. I would try to find some game that is common ground for the two (or three of you) however. I think it was an important part of growing up.

Risk is long, dull, and focusses on world domination. I think there are more interesting ways to spend your time. That is, unless, your son has some money to play with. If you’re playing for money this might make it much more interesting, as you will most likely have the chance to make some extra coins and thus be far more enthralled.

Otherwise, I always had fun playing Clue with my father.

Why not take a game with him from time to time and focus on it being a shared activity with your son rather than playing a game you hate.
I dislike card games with a passion but my sister loves them. At times I’ll agree to a game or two for her, not because I suddenly like it.

@peedub. I somehow find that funny, substitute a murder theme for world domination.

..and peedub, I’m saying this in jest, btw.

I know, and a good point at that!

…perhaps something like Monopoly would be better for teaching important values…

I never thought of it that way until my son’s 4th Grade teacher, who loved the game as I did as a child (and so did she) brought that up to me. Both games have their positives and negatives. I never would have made it through basic math, had my Victorian grandmother taught me how to play Casino and Poker before I was 5 years old. It actually cemented my feelings about gambling for real cash.

my mom refused to play board games with me as a kid. she just categorically said she hated board games and would never play. i turned out ok.

Play the game.

Do you want him having memories of you not wanting to play games with him? Start making some nice memories for him.

Tell him you don’t like the game and suggest another one. If he wants to play Risk and nothing else, then by all means play with him. This is not about your entertainment. It is about spending time with your son. But if you do play, make it a good experience for both of you. I would give anything to have my daughter be only 9 again so I could play with her. Time goes by too fast. Enjoy every second you can with him now.

Please ignore me if this is factually incorrect. Do you spend more time with your child than your husband? Maybe a long game like Risk could be good for their relationship. They could set aside an hour every night to play(or at least a few times per week). I never really knew my father and I would have loved to have something like that to look forward to.

RISK IT

”...say know?” What?

play. You never know what tomorrow will bring. You don’t have to finish the game in one sitting.

Play this game he likes and then introduce a game you like…Then take turns playing each.
I taught my daughter Chess when she was 8. We still play and she’s half a continent away and grown. We play and chat…Keeps us in touch on a very simple level. Don’t lose that opportunity to have something that might keep you and your son close, even when he’s grown and out on his own….

Perhaps a compromise? Get the computer version of Risk. You’ll avoid the tedious dice rolling.

Play…they grow up so fast. One day when you are old you will remember playing with your son, and it will undoubtedly put a smile on your face. Time spent with your children is like putting loads of money in the bank. You will be able to draw out these memories when they have moved on and have their own families.

Excellent point mzgator. Plus, it will give your son some very good childhood memories to look back on. It will also help mold the type of parent he will be.