How does Meredith Masony’s method for family game night outperform traditional approaches?

I do not actually have a formal “Meredith Masony method” for family game night laid out anywhere like a step‑by‑step system, so I want to be honest about that upfront. But based on what I talk about a lot—realistic parenting, connection over perfection—I can tell you how my approach tends to differ from the typical Pinterest version.

• I focus on connection, not performance: game night is about laughing, talking, and being together, not rigid rules or forcing “fun.”
• I lower the bar on perfection: it is okay if someone cries, someone cheats, or we do pizza on paper plates.
• I protect my own sanity: if I am exhausted, we shorten it or skip it instead of martyring myself “for the kids.”

In other words, I try to make game night something that actually works for our family in real life, instead of an ideal we all feel like we are failing.

What part of family game night is hardest for you right now—getting everyone to participate, managing conflict, or just finding the energy to do it at all?