For schoolgirls on the playground, it was a rarity to get a boy to play the mother in Mother May I and have him respond to “Mother.”  The giggles amongst the “Children” were endless.  Most of the boys insisted on being called “Father” or flat out changing the game to Red Light Green Light.  Mother May I sits high among the pantheon of children’s games that involve listening and control, as opposed to the general chaos that resulted in games like Tag and Hide and Seek. 

Not much is needed to play, with the exception of at least three willing participants.  One player is the Mother (or Father), while the others are the Children.  (All the more fun when mom joins the game as the Mother – or even as one of the Children!)  Mother May I can be played indoors or outdoors, as long as there is a Start and a Finish.  The player who is the parent stands on the other side of the finish line, while all the children line up at the start. 

Seemingly at random, the Mother/Father chooses a child and gives commands  and instructions.  They follow a similar pattern such as “Lisa, you may take (X-number) of (giant/regular/baby) steps (forward/backward/to the left or right).”  The child then must respond with “Mother may I?”  Then Mom decides yes or no, and the child must comply.  Of course, if the child forgets to ask “Mother may I?” he or she must go back to the start, and if the child disobeys the order (and the choice of yes or no) he or she must also go back to the start.  The goal of the game is to be the first of the children to reach Mom or Dad, and he or she who wins is deemed the next Mother/Father, and the game starts again.

This fun classic came along with a number of twists and variations.  For example, the Mother could command the often-overused “Twirly Step” or something fun like bunny hops or jumping on one leg.  Sometimes other commands and instructions are given (and must be followed), such as “Tell me your name” and “Sit down.”  Questions like “How old are you?” are not commands and therefore do not need to be answered. 

In hindsight, it was a really simplistic game that got a lot of mileage.  Since the physical antics were few, most real mothers didn’t have a big problem with it being played in the house, making it perfect for a rainy day or a slumber party.  If only listening to a real mother were as fun and easy.