Board Games

 I've already said that JJ didn't make eye contact and looked through people. The brothers were practically strangers due to living in seperate foster homes and COVID lockdowns halting their visitation. JJ did not like "Baby" (always said with a sneer) and Lil' Bro was extremely jealous of JJ. Suddenly these two were living in the same house with no one but new family members and each other to spend time with. 

 We started playing and collecting board games when Sasha was four and Sam was a baby. Every week I would check out what the thrift store had and add new games every birthday and Christmas. So, by the time the boys moved in we had quite a collection of board games. I had saved many from when Sasha and Sam were small.

 I started with very simple games modified for them. They dropped connect four pieces into the game board. I kept up a running dialog counting the pieces, naming the colors... We worked on taking turns. We put the ice cream from the Conzilla game in numerical order. Or JJ, who loves numbers, would put the 2, 5, and 8 next to each other to make 258. 

 After a while I introduced them to very basic games with me explaining step-by-step what they were to do. We played games for hours every day. Hubby, Sasha, and Sam would play too when they were done with work and school. 

 JJ started interacting more. He liked playing games and he enjoyed being with me and Lil' Bro during these times. Lil' Bro was less jealous of JJ since he was getting the attention he craved and sharing fun with his brother. Board games helped us develop a bond between all family members. 

 Board games are still an important part of our family life. I notice that when we play often JJ is more talkative and interacts more. 

MR