How to Play Mother, May I?

In this game, players must ask "Mother, may I?" and receive a "yes" before following any instructions from Mother.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Books Of Children's Party Games

1. Play this game with at least three players.
2. Announce that you will be "Mother."
3. Line the players up facing you about 10 feet away.
4. Give commands to the players one at a time. Say, for example, "Anna, you may take one step forward."
5. Wait for the player to respond. If she says, "Mother, may I?" answer either, "Yes, you may" or "No, you may not."
6. Make sure the player asks the question and follows your instructions. If she doesn't, tell the player that she's out of the game.
7. Continue giving commands to the players in any order that you choose.
8. Play until only Mother and one player are left. The last player left in the game is the winner.
9. Take turns being Mother in subsequent games.

Tips & Warnings

• Trip up players by having Mother call out commands quickly and with authority.
• Instructions such as "Watch out! There's a spider on your back!" are sure to fool players.
• Play this game on Mother's Day with Mom playing the role of Mother.
• Remember that players only have to follow commands or instructions given by Mother. Things such as "Take a step left," "Jump up and down," "Sit down" and "Tell me your name" are commands. Things like "How old are you?" "Why are you looking at me?" and "I wish you would be quiet" are not commands.
• If a player fails to ask, "Mother, may I?" he or she is out.
• If Mother says "Yes," the player must perform the command or be out of the game.
• If Mother says "No," the player is out if he or she follows the command.