Hi there! I'm John, and I became a dad 21 years ago, although sometimes it feels like it happened just last month. Connecting with people on a personal level wasn't ever my strongest skill set (okay, that's an understatement -- I kinda suck at it sometimes), and for a while, that kept me from connecting with my kids, too. Our interactions would start out great, but end in frustration, angst and tears -- and that was just me. But over the years, I discovered something awesome: My kids and I communicated better when we played board games together. Best of all, the benefits lasted after the games, too. That's really the heart of what you'll read here in The Dad Game -- musings and tips to help you build connections with your kids through family time spent playing the best board games from around the world!
Posted in The Dad Game on Wed, 10/31/2012 - 10:25am
By John Kaufeld for FortWayne.com
Experience the fun of family time and board games at GAME ON! Saturday, Nov. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. as the Dupont Branch of the Allen County Library, 536 E. Dupont Road, celebrates International Games Day!
Posted in The Dad Game on Tue, 10/23/2012 - 10:33am
By John Kaufeld for FortWayne.com
It’s time to start your family down the path of connection and fun with Eurogames.
I know, for a while it seemed like this point might never come, but at last it has. On this fateful day, we finally get down to naming names, getting games and settling in around the family night game table.
Posted in The Dad Game on Tue, 10/09/2012 - 9:39am
By John Kaufeld for FortWayne.com
Last week, we donned our swim suits and started paddling around the ocean of European board games.
Even though the games come from Germany, France, Italy and other European countries, we decided to call them “Eurogames” because that describes not only where the games usually come from, but also the ways that the games work.
Posted in The Dad Game on Wed, 10/03/2012 - 10:33am
By John Kaufeld for FortWayne.com
At last, we’re finally going to dive into the realm of designer board games. It was a long time coming, but we’re here. Thanks for sticking with me.
So, with that introduction out of the way, let’s talk about chocolate.
Even though I’m sure most of us agree on how awesome chocolate is in general, when you get down to specifics, things get chocolatey in very different ways.
German chocolate isn’t the same as American chocolate, and both of them are different than English chocolate. And let’s not even start to bring Swiss chocolate into this.
Posted in The Dad Game on Wed, 09/19/2012 - 11:22am
By John Kaufeld for FortWayne.com
A few weeks ago, we started chatting about how to pick the perfect game for your family. I outlined several key things to look for when considering a new game, and we talked about each one in turn.
Posted in The Dad Game on Mon, 09/10/2012 - 9:16am
By John Kaufeld for FortWayne.com
Let’s do an experiment this week.
Get out a piece of paper and something to write with. Got it? Cool.
I want you to focus for a few minutes and read this article straight through, beginning to end. Every time you get interrupted or distracted by anything -- phones, email, people, TV show, radio ad or an overwhelming urge to check some web site -- make a quick note of it. I think the results will surprise you.
Posted in The Dad Game on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 9:54am
By John Kaufeld for FortWayne.com
Time.
There’s never enough, but there’s always some. You get it, but you can’t keep it. (Well, not unless you buy a subscription and a bunch of storage binders, that is.)
When it comes to connecting with your kids, time really is a key element. A bunch of other things are important too -- focus, attention and activities come to mind first -- but time connects all of them.
Posted in The Dad Game on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:29am
By John Kaufeld
Sunday's To Do list:
* Fly an X-Wing fighter into battle against Imperial TIEs. * Defeat the supervillains and rescue the city. * Think of three ways you can use a toothbrush for something other than brushing teeth. * Spend the day with the family and have a blast.
Sound like a good time? You can do it all this Sunday with a trip to Family Day at the Gen Con game fair in Indianapolis.
Posted in The Dad Game on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 9:53am
By John Kaufeld for FortWayne.com
Last week, we finally broke out the board games! We talked about three types of competition you’ll find in modern board games, and how each type of competition affects the way games work in your family.
