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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that snakes and ladders is a really rubbish game.

47 replies

Molehillmountain · 15/02/2013 10:11

And it definitely shouldn't be allowed near small children. The one I've just done with ds has two snakes in the final row. Never done it before but I actually cheated on his behalf. Orchard games we love you!

OP posts:
DumSpiroSpero · 15/02/2013 10:12

And it's boring as hell.

We were supposed to play it backwards for DD's homework last week - no chance!

Fallenangle · 15/02/2013 10:14

Play it backwards, for homework! What the ...?

Original poster
Molehillmountain · 15/02/2013 10:15

Yes! Dull game, the only reward is finishing and then you get a snake (a long one) at 98. Beautiful wooden board or not this one's going to the charity shop. Unless it's unfair to inflict it on someone else.

OP posts:
Llanbobl · 15/02/2013 10:16

Biscuit It teaches them about taking turns, basic counting and that you can't always win.

Just wait til they're older and bring home the board (or bored, depending on you POV) game they've designed - forget the Biscuit, you'll need Wine

DumSpiroSpero · 15/02/2013 10:18

She's Yr 3 - they are learning to count back from 100 in different chunks ie: 98, 96 etc or in 5's.

If I thought she'd struggle I would have had a bash, but we used to count backwards from 100 to get her to sleep as a toddler, and did it in 2's and 5's as well when she started getting too used to the basic way so she's been able to do it for years.

MsVestibule · 15/02/2013 10:18

YABU! It's simple enough for very young children to play with without adults, it helps them learn to count, it teaches them the concept of taking turns and winning/losing.

sukysue · 15/02/2013 10:18

It's fine if you are winning hehe!

Fallenangle · 15/02/2013 10:22

Yeah, I got that it was about counting backwards, but doesn't the down the snakes and up the ladders just confuse. When playing backwards do you go up snakes and down ladders?

kim147 · 15/02/2013 10:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Catsdontcare · 15/02/2013 10:26

I use three dice in the shaker when we play makes it go super quick!

BertieBotts · 15/02/2013 10:26

We have a Peppa Pig one which has a massive snake and massive ladder, but arranged in such a way that you can't bring yourself back if you get the snake!

We play it fairly often though and sometimes change the rules of which you go up/down. At least it doesn't take long so even if it is boring you don't have to sit through it for ages.

woopsidaisy · 15/02/2013 10:33

Whaaaaat? It is a brilliant game. You lot have been on the iPad too long!

BalloonSlayer · 15/02/2013 10:39

The trouble is it's pure chance so if you have won twice in a row and a small DC is getting upset it is very hard to cheat to let them win.

Scenario: you need 4 to win.

You: < throws dice > What have I got? Four? Whoops dropped it. Silly Mummy, better throw again.
DC: You don't have to, Mummy.
You: No no no, that's OK, need to be fair
DC: But you didn't make me throw again when I . . .
You: Well I'll just throw again shall I? < throws dice >
DC: You got FOUR!
You: Oh! < weak smile > Now, lets see, < moves counter furtively > One, Two, Threefour. Oh still one to go.
DC: Mummeeeeee! You didn't do it properly. Go back and do it properly.
You: Oh...kay... One, Two, Three, Four. Oh I've won again.
DC: Waaaaaaaaah!!!! I NEVER win!!! I'm rubbish at this.
You: DC darling, I keep telling you it's just luck, there's no such thing as good or bad at this game.
DC: I hate this stupid game < throws board on floor, storms off in tears >

Whereas things like Monopoly are a bit easier to let them win (only once in a while, mind) "Ah no, I am a bit bored with having Park Lane AND Mayfair, don't think I'll bother this time."

kim147 · 15/02/2013 10:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 15/02/2013 10:46

Snakes and Ladders we only played at Christmas - ie parents full of goodwill and content to play board games from some compendium one of us had got as a gift.

After Boxing Day it was always, "Play with your sister... No not now, maybe later never".

exoticfruits · 15/02/2013 10:47

I think it is great-it teaches so many things-most important of all that you can't always win.

Fallenangle · 15/02/2013 10:47

Kim, teaching a 7 yr old to negotiate etc. Mine can only do prima donna. Where can I get this game.

Original poster
Molehillmountain · 15/02/2013 11:04

Kim-settlers is such an amazing game! I love it! It is the complete opposite to what I hate about snakes and ladders-the game itself is interesting and although you can have setbacks and frustrations, you have some input into what you choose to do and even if you lose at the last minute, the game can feel worthwhile. Must get onto it with my seven year old...

OP posts:
kim147 · 15/02/2013 11:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SkinnybitchWannabe · 15/02/2013 11:15

We love playing it..I've even got an app on my phone. please don't throw me out of MNs because I have..I need you lovely lot to get through the day

TheBigJessie · 15/02/2013 11:50

Snakes and Ladders was constructed to be unfair. It's actually a game that was made to model getting to Heaven and the huge consequences of small sins, which could undo years of virtuous living.

As you just may have seen with those two snakes at the end!

kim147 · 15/02/2013 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Molehillmountain · 15/02/2013 11:57

I'm not surprised-it's a nasty game. And I don't believe that you train children to love games by playing ones that are hard and frustrating to win. I'd love to know your settlers rules, Kim. I really struggle to say it in English-we were introduced to it in Dutch!

OP posts:
GazpachoSoup · 15/02/2013 12:26

Whaaa??!!! Snakes and Ladders is a great, classic game. You can't beat a good old fashioned, traditional board game. Never mind all this Angry Birds type app crap on phones you get nowadays!
Traditional board games are great as they get the whole family playing together.
If the kids don't always win, so what?! It's great to play them as it's one of life lessons - no, you can't always win and have everything, and have to sometimes accept gracious defeat and not fling the board to the other side of the room in a temper tantrum as you haven't got your own way
I play traditional games with my kids. None of the letting them win type stuff. If they snooze, they lose. Grin

Fallenangle · 15/02/2013 13:13

Jessie. That explains it, my life has been mostly snakes.

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