Families Create Independence Day Playing Games Together

July 3, 2011 - PRLog -- It’s summer time and many parents don’t know what to do with their kids. Instead of finding ways to keep them out of the house until the end of summer, schedule some family time together.  If done properly, children can learn how to live a debt free independent life instead of just celebrating Independence Day once a year.

Scheduling game night once a week is a good way to catch up with your children without seeming intrusive and teach them about business, finances and life too.  No need to tell them it’s educational, but it’s definitely that too.

First commit to a specific day and time and be consistent so everyone can schedule other activities around it. Then, select a game that everyone can play that allows for personal growth and discussion.  Here’s a few for parents with kids 5-10 years.
Monopoly  is an easy fun board game that teaches the value of a dollar and entry level real estate. Charge Large  teaches its players how to control and leverage cash and credit. Larry Burkett's Money Matters teaches kids how to differentiate between needs and wants and how to pay for those items and remain debt free.

Parents with tweens, teens, and young adults home from college should consider something more challenging.   Cashflow 101  by Robert Kiyosaki author of  Rich Dad Poor Dad requires thinking and strategy. The goal is to create enough passive income and avoid buying meaningless trinkets that will eventually allow the players to get out of the rat race and live life on their own terms. Thrivetime teaches the family how to run and manage a start up business and how to think like an entrepreneur.  Million Dollar Challenge  teaches players how to invest in the stock market.  

Stick to one game for a few weeks (or the entire summer) until everyone gets the hang of it and has learned whatever lesson is needed. Then move onto another if you choose.  

Singles and couples who don’ have children or have moved out of the nest can meet once a week with other couples or an investment group. Some  groups are organized via Meetup or Yahoo Groups in communities devoted to such activities.

Game night is a wonderful time for families to bond, converse, learn  and grow together.

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LeTicia Lee is author of The Answer Key to Avoid Debt Build Credit & Retire Rich (for grads, soon to be grads and everyone in between). http://SoRichIam.com