March Madness Brings Families Together

It is the most wonderful time of the year! It is time for March Madness! It may sound a little crazy coming from me. A girl that normally comes across as girlie as girlie can get and sometimes mixes up football lingo with basketball lingo. BUT this time of year is so fun for me and my family! We have a tradition that has gone on for several years and today I am excited to share it with you, in hopes you can start something fun for your family! My family lives all around the US {from Hawaii to Texas} but throughout the month of March we are brought together and have some of the funnest memories!

I have asked my awesome husband to write today about our favorite family activity and family tradition, MARCH MADNESS! Here he is:

Throughout the calendar year there are fewer months that are as exciting as March. Sure, one could argue that the whole Thanksgiving and Christmas thing gives the fall season a free reign on claiming the happiest months out of the year. However, March has one thing that statistically brings more families together than any other holiday combined. That’s right…….March Madness. What? You’ve been living in a cave for decades and have never heard of March Madness? Fear not.

WHAT IS IT?

During the month of March, 68 of the top college level basketball teams throughout the US will play each other in a single elimination tournament that will ultimately lead to one team being crowned that season’s college basketball champion. Many refer to this tournament as March Madness because so many games are played within a short period of time. During just the first two days of play the teams are narrowed from 68 to 32. That’s fast.

College basketball enthusiasts both young and old participate in this tournament via the all important TOURNAMENT BRACKET. Brackets can be downloaded and printed off from all over the internet. These brackets highlight who is playing who and when. The real fun begins when YOU fill out your bracket and decide who you think is going to WIN each game that is played. Anyone anywhere can pick the winner of this thing. And here is how.

PICKING YOUR TEAMS

There are many strategies (click here to read a few) of how to pick what team will win. The great thing about March Madness is that any person can win no matter what level of basketball knowledge they have. Some people choose the school they went to in college to win every year. Others pick teams based on who has the prettier jersey. Whatever your strategy is, please remember that it is almost guaranteed that you will probably lose to a 7 year old or a woman in your office who thinks shopping is more of a sport than basketball is. Also, keep in mind that any team can lose/win on any given day. There is NO such thing as a sure thing.

HOW CAN THIS BE FUN FOR MY FAMILY?

In my wife’s extended family, basketball is very important. We all have our favorite teams and all find common ground in our love for March Madness. We are so into it that we even have a traveling trophy that is presented to the winner by her grandfather to reside in the winner’s home for an entire year. We currently live in a world that is pulling and tugging for our attention to be turned away from our families. It is so important to find ways for families to participate and interact with each other.  March Madness is a great opportunity to do so.

5 STEPS TO GETTING STARTED

1.In our family we elect a commissioner. His/her job is to log on to Yahoo Sports and while on their website he/she sets up our Pool. This is free to do and is very simple. Click here to visit their website to set up your own pool for your family.

2. Once you create your pool you can invite others in your family to join. This will require them to have a yahoo account. If they don’t already it takes 35 seconds to set up and is free of cost (aka this shouldn’t be their excuse not to participate because it’s super easy to do).

3.The teams that will participate in March Madness will be announced on March 16th. On this day, your family must log in to your pool and pick the teams they think will win.

4. Print off your bracket once you have finalized your picks, put it somewhere you will be able to access it. You will want to know how your bracket is doing and who to cheer for during each game.

5. WATCH BASKETBALL! The games are televised everywhere. We love getting together as a family when we can and rooting for our team, especially if our team is the no name school that beats the heavily favored school. Remember to highlight on your bracket who is winning and who is losing so you can keep track of how well you are doing (Yahoo sports will do this automatically for you on their website).

At the end of the day, memories are what is most important. I ask myself many times a day if I am being a good parent to my little girl. What will she remember when she grows up about her time with her dad and her family. It is my hope that she recalls the month of March as a time to look forward to be with her family. It is my hope that she will carry on this crazy tradition to her kids and tell them how Grandpa (aka me) broke down crying one year when she was a little girl because the team I picked hit a last second buzzer beater to win me the trophy.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and free way to make memories with your kids this March….look no further than college basketball. After all, it’s not about whether you win or lose it’s about that they remember you played the game.

Get a Taste of the Madness:

We hope that you can do something fun with your family this month! If you love this idea, don’t forget to share it! —

Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

March 7, 2014 by Danielle Davis | 3 Comments