Family Game Night Just Took an Unexpected Turn!

*Check out our contest at the very end!!

So, here’s the irony…some of my students’ mothers have been playing Mahjong for decades and never dreamed of teaching their own kids. And now that their kids are taking classes with me, the moms are like, “Why pay for lessons? I’ll teach you.”

You can probably imagine the reaction of my students about wanting to take lessons from their own moms LOL. The good news is that they’re learning, and mom and daughter will be able to enjoy mahjong together.

And that’s exactly our topic for today…enjoying mahjong as a family!

When Covid hit, the absolute first thing I did, besides a Covid test and wash all my fruits and vegetables for hours, was to teach my entire family how to play mahjong. I mean, I was going to be stuck with them day in and day out. And how else was I going to get my mahjong fix?

Well, it ended up saving my life. Okay, that’s a little mellow dramatic. But it did keep us busy each night and it did bring us closer together. As a mom, you can probably relate that, time with your family is the best gift on earth. My kids, now in their 20’s, are spending less and less time with me. But lucky for me, when the word mahjong gets thrown into the air, they come running. Or just about, and sometimes with a little persuasion.

That’s why I am always surprised to learn that many women don’t share the love of mahjong with their families. It doesn’t mean you are stuck playing only with them. It just means that you have options. You can have your weekly ‘girls’ night, you can enjoy some magical time with your grandson on a weekend morning, or squeeze in a little Siamese mahjong with your partner in between your busy schedules. In my home, my table is always set up, and the hubby is often asking to play a few games before running out the door.

The beauty of mahjong is that it is not only passed down from one generation to the next, but that it can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter the age. And with the sometimes-obvious generation gap, no conversation at all is just what the 'doctor' (reads as teenager) ordered. The game is often played in silence, pondering next moves.

And not surprising, kids don’t struggle near as much as some of their parents with learning this complex game. So, teach them while their young. And if you’ve ever been forced to play Monopoly or Trouble, than you know my pain. It can be very liberating having a game that makes your children happy that you also enjoy playing. 

Another benefit to families playing mahjong is that it brings us back to the basics. Spending time together and being face to face with one another. Being present. With screen time at an all-time high, and not just for kids, mahjong is a beautiful way to share our valued time with others and have some respite from the digital chaos.

If you dare to teach your kids, partners, sisters, brothers, cousins... you might just be surprised at how mahjong could be the element that encourages family gatherings. They’ll come for the mahjong, and they’ll stay for your kugel (Jewish food). Family get-togethers will take on a new, fun, and likely, competitive dimension.

Give it a try!!

CONTEST ALERT:

One lucky reader will win a free 3-hour mahjong lesson for their family.

To enter: You must be local, be a former student of mine, & you must comment "I want to win" on this blog or by sending me an email. One entry per person.

Date and location of lesson to be determined. Winner will be picked on March 1, 2024 and contacted by email. Good luck.