"Do You Have To!?!", A Game For Parents

No matter what you do your offspring will find you embarrassing, so why not make a game of it ... that's what we thought and here it is. The finest game is one where the child knows the rules as well, have been told the game is on and yet still they gift points at every conceivable opportunity - that's winning on a whole new level :)

I've been asked how to get your child embarrassed and whilst there's the obvious plays that we can all do - giving a hug at school drop-off (especially point making with teenage boys), singing in the car when you're taxiing them AND their mates around and explaining why today's music is not as good as music in your day - only you really know that embarrassment button your child has. All I say to you is find a few more buttons, practice pushing them and then, PLAY ON!

How to win

Within the allocated timescale gain more points than other parents by embarrassing your kids.

Timescale

A normal game plays over a calendar week.

However with congregations of parents and kids at parties / school events a highly focused game can be successfully completed within a short number of hours.

Points

You gain points by the visible reaction of your own child to a purposeful embarrassment you deliver.

And remember, what do points mean, yes, that's right, embarrassed offspring!

• 2 pts: eye roll and/or you receive 'that look'
• 5 pts: audible embarrassed grunt
• 10 pts: "Oh Daaaad!!" or equivalent spoken under their breath and aimed at you.
• 15 pts: "Mum! Don't!!'", or equivalent, exclaimed so that all parties can hear.
• 20 pts: "God you're embarrassing, go away", or equivalent impassioned 'telling off'.

Bonus points

• double points when reaction delivered in public and/or amongst their mates
• add half reaction points if accompanied by a storming out
  (eg, an "Oh Daaad" + a storming out = 10 + 5 points)
• 35 points for best delivery and reaction as voted by all players at end of the game

Traditional game play

1. Setup competition scoring arena (Facebook, piece of paper at party etc)
2. Invite players
3. Agree timescale
4. Play
5. Report notable successes on a regular basis
6. When timescale expires, add up to total points
7. Players vote on best notable success (add 35 points to parent's score)
8. Winner declared and stories shared over a wine/beer.

Also see, "Ballyhoo - A Game For Christmas"