The "What If" Game

I have always enjoyed playing the "what if" game.

As a college student at VMI, I used to play with my fellow history majors.  What if Lincoln had worn a helmet to Ford's Theater on April 15, 1865?  What if Stonewall Jackson had survived his wounds at Chancellorsville?  What if the "Austrian corporal" had succumbed to his wounds during World War One?  What if a stray bullet had struck George Washington during the French and Indian War?  What if Rosa Parks had decided to walk instead of ride the bus?  What if Mohammed Atta had been detained by security at the Portland International Jetport in Maine on September 11, 2001?

I encourage you to play a slightly different version of the "what if" game with your own children.  I believe it is a very good way to prevent many problems before they arise.  Of course, every family has their own unique set of challenges and some questions may not be appropriate for all ages.

Play the game as you see fit.  But please play it.

Here are some ideas.

Start with the easy ones...What if you forget your English homework?...What if you get a traffic ticket and you're too emotional to drive safely?...What if you start to feel dizzy at field hockey practice?...What if your friends are throwing food in the Commons?...What if you find a stray animal that is injured?

Progress to the harder ones...What if you have a flat tire across town but your cell phone is not working?...What if you see your best friend cheat on a test?...What if you lose your computer and all your saved work?...What if you don't get a date for Homecoming?

Then deal with the really hard ones...What if your boyfriend (or girlfriend) says "I love you and think we should take it to the next level?"...What if your best friend has had too much to drink but insists on driving?...What if that same friend tells you they plan to run away from home?...What if someone you don't know hands you a drink at a party and encourages you to drink it?...What if you get a threatening text message?

Dinner table question of the week:

It's not a question but a challenge.  Please play the "what if" game with someone you love.  Sometimes simply thinking about these scenarios prevents problems.  If nothing else, it will encourage great conversations...