How to Play

A turn-based conversation game for parents and teenage sons.

Setup

  • 2–6 players. Enter everyone's name on the Play page.
  • Choose one of the four decks: Mothers & Sons, Fathers & Sons, Deeper Talks, or Mother–Son Talks.
  • Pick a winning score: 10 (short), 15 (standard) or 25 (long). The deck is shuffled automatically.

Taking a turn

  • The current player draws the top card and reads it aloud.
  • They answer first. Then every other player shares their own view or asks a follow-up — “What makes that important to you?”
  • The player may pass without explanation. Passing scores nothing, but costs nothing either.
  • Play then moves to the next player.

Scoring

  • Answered the card: +2 points.
  • Insight bonus: the other players may award +1 if the answer surprised them, changed their mind, or showed real honesty.
  • Asked a great follow-up: any listener can earn +1 for a question that took the talk deeper.
  • Pass: 0 points.

Winning

  • The first player to reach the winning score wins — finish the current card's conversation first.
  • If the deck runs out, the highest score wins. Ties are shared.
  • Ground rule: we're trying to understand each other, not win. Points are just a nudge to keep talking.
Start a game