The job search is going crappy...thanks for asking. I apply to 2 or 3 A DAY - no takers yet.
Unemployment sucks.
But enough about that. On to more exciting stuff. I'm adopting a cavalier (adj.: showing a lack of proper concern; offhand) attitude and am going to make up some exciting stuff to write since there is a distinct lack of excitement in the aforementioned life of job hunting.
I've always been big on imagination and making up stories. Heck, I've been known to indulge in role-playing games from time to time. With the excess amount of free time I've had lately, I've been looking around at some simple role-playing games (RPGs) with which to introduce my kids into the hobby. Please, no charges of Satan-worshipping...save that for any ill-concieved ignorance you may have for my chosen religious views.
I had two main requirements for any RPG I would play with my kids: 1) VERY simples rules. 2) Free. While #2 almost always trumped out #1, I have to admit I found one that I was extremely tempted to buy: The Secret Lives of Gingerbread Men. Little cookies, big secrets. Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! "Oh no! Not my gumdrop buttons!" I'm going to be smiling about this one for days. Why didn't I buy it? I don't think it is available any more...but I didn't look too hard. It might still be around somewhere.
In the end, I decided to start them off on a game called Shadows. The name sounds spooky and possible not a game for kids, but just click on the link and read. Yeah, it's for kids. The basic plot I have in mind for them (the three older kids that is: ages 8, 6, and 4) starts as a sleepover at their aunt and uncle's house here in town (which is huge, by the way) when they are awaken by Ka-bree-is (no idea how they spell it - she is one of their dogs) barking at something and go from there. I'm curious to see what they come up with. Since they will be "adventuring" together, I expect we'll have some interesting dynamics.
Once we do that (if we do it at all) a couple of times, I'll probably switch them over to Risus which is a pretty bare-bones system that I think they will grasp easily (well, the older two at least).
I think they might take to role-playing quite well - based on what I hear when they play together...at least before the arguments break out. Besides, Isaiah loves playing with my Heroscape board game and Mary has recently discovered the Magic Tree House book series. Rebekah might still be a bit young for it, but there will be severe consequences and repercussions if she doesn't get to play with the others. Besides, it might provide some good role-playing opportunities for the older two as they look out for Little Sister.
I came across some other good games for kids, but they cost money, and most of the other free ones are still a bit beyond their age group...at least until they grasp the concept of "make-believe with set rules."
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2 comments:
I took a course last spring and one of the activities was story telling/making. Get a big piece of paper (and pen) and pick 5 -6 items from around the house. Give an item to each child. Somewhere on the paper start a story by saying something like "one cold wet dark day..." ect. then start the story whit the item in your hand. Draw pictures or write words on the paper about where your story is going. After a bit the next person takes their item and continues the story. Continue until everyone has had a turn. Use discrpitive words as much as possible. This is called story mapping and the Boys absoluety love it. We have had some great stories. I usually type up the stories after and try and draw some better pictures. Who knows maybe one day I'll try and publish some of them.
Have fun because they will enjoy it!
hmmm looks interesting. I'll have to show these to C to see what he thinks. Like you said, might be a good way to get the kiddos interested in rpging
Sorry the job scene stinks. You want mine? Just kidding, I wouldn't wish it on anyone (at least not this morning as I had a *very* late night at work).
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