freedom of choices vs. freedom from choice

NIGHT 1
ME: Tonight, instead of arguing, let's vote for which game we play.
FRIAR: Catan!
ME: Catan!
SQUIRE: I want to play Clue.
ME: But we voted.
SQUIRE: I don't care.
[argue argue argue; we play Clue]

NIGHT 2
ME: Do you want to play Clue or Carcassone tonight?
SQUIRE: I want to play TransAmerica, it's my favorite.
ME: But I offered Clue or Carcassone.
SQUIRE: [heavy sigh, with drama] I guess we'll do what you want to do anyway.
ME: Well... I want to play a game.
[we play TransAmerica]

NIGHT 3:
ME: Okay, how about if you narrow it down to two games you want to play, and then we can choose one of those two.
SQUIRE: I don't want to choose only two games. I want to choose five and then you choose one of those.
ME: O... kay?
SQUIRE: Catan, Carcassone, TransAmerica, Risk, or Clue!
ME: Any of those... I guess Catan or Carcassone.
FRIAR: Catan!
SQUIRE: I don't want to play Catan.
[we play Clue and Carcassone]

Whereupon it was determined by me, who is tired of this Every Single Night, that games shall henceforth be played in alphabetical order. HA! It's a very democratic approach the games, albeit not to the players. But it is more democratic than the dictatorship we were sliding into, and sometimes in a democracy we have to do things for the common good, and it's to everybody's benefit to not have a stupid argument over what game to play every. single. night. Amiright.

Comments

[ch]

I want to play a game every night.

[Madeleine]

I could see that happening to us. Strong-minded children. Sigh. At the moment, each parent has a line we will not cross. Daddy will not play Polly Pocket Beach Grossout and I will not play Animal Snap. Luckily, we have many much better choices on hand.

[JV]

See, that's why we just watch the TV.

[ste3ve]

But I came here for an argument.

[Patricia Harrelson]

I wanna play a game every single night (too). Alphabetical, democratic, dictatorial, anyway.