3 lessons about diversity I learned from playing the game SET

When I visit my neighbor, Laura*, there’s one house rule: we connect on purpose. Phones stay away. We play instruments, tinker with toys, and watch her children run barefoot through her vibrant green yard — their imaginations stretching as far as the Georgia sky. And always, board games.

Before meeting Laura, I never imagined that games would become a major part of our relationship. Growing up, I played Monopoly now and then with my family, and lots of Scrabble, but only at holidays or reunions every few years. At Laura’s house, games are part of the daily rhythm, as natural as morning coffee. For her, they’re not just entertainment but a tool — a way to teach patience, communication, and grace.

As a homeschool mom, Laura has a teacher’s intuition. She uses play to open conversations about problem-solving, perseverance, and fairness. I’ve had the privilege of watching her children learn to navigate losing and winning gracefully, how to take turns, and how to think differently. Although I’m older than her typical “students,” playing alongside them has been its own kind of education.

The first time she introduced me to SET, I was visiting on a quiet autumn afternoon. Sunlight spilled through the windows while her children relaxed in the living room, reading books and sharing their latest…