I’m a mom, stepmom, and theatre educator helping exhausted parents access their inner creative playfulness for more connection and joy. No messy crafts, complicated setups, or sensory bins here! Just simple, silly moments that bring your family back together through laughter. My short weekly emails share reflections from real life and a simple invitation you can try for yourself or with your kids.
How one game set the tone for the week:
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I was feeling annoyed… or so I thought. It was “transition” night — my stepdaughter’s first night at our house after being with her mom for the week. It’s always a big adjustment for everyone — and the summer schedule is a particularly jarring shift. She was being short and seemed distant. I felt myself getting irritated. I asked myself, “What’s under this annoyance?” and quickly realized… … it was fear. Old insecurities were coming up. Guilt. Worrying she’ll always miss her mom more than enjoying time at our house. And under that fear is love. So then I asked myself... “What would playfulness look like right now?” “Wanna play a game?” I asked her. She lit up and said, “Sure! Like what?” We ended up making up a new, simple game together called, “What have you DONE!?” How we played: • We took turns asking, “What have you done?” using different accents or dramatic emotions. • We answered in the same tone or expression. • Responses varied from “I had a playdate” to “I ate a PB&J.” As we played, she inched closer to me on the couch. Before long, we were not only physically closer, but more emotionally connected through silliness and sharing moments from our week. Play is healing — this has been studied and proven. This is especially true when it comes to working through separation anxiety or trauma. And it’s been transformative for our family. This simple game helped both of us:
Invitation for the Week: Notice when you’re feeling annoyed and ask yourself what’s underneath. Curiosity alone can be powerful. As always, feel free to reply with your thoughts if any of this resonates! I love hearing from you. Love, Mia P.S. I’m now offering one-on-one support through my Personal Play Plan & Coaching service, where we work together to develop playful skills for connecting with your kids. Tap the button below for more info + a 5% discount as a thank-you for subscribing!
*Discounts available for stepparents and single parents; reply to this email if that’s you! ____________________________________ By the way... do you have my $5 guide, "From Tired to Playful?" It's packed with mindset tips and over 50 creative games for connection! |
Playful Heart Parenting
I’m a mom, stepmom, and theatre educator helping exhausted parents access their inner creative playfulness for more connection and joy. No messy crafts, complicated setups, or sensory bins here! Just simple, silly moments that bring your family back together through laughter. My short weekly emails share reflections from real life and a simple invitation you can try for yourself or with your kids.
I was telling my therapist yesterday how TIRED I’ve been. Yes, I have a teething 1yo and a 4yo who occasionally karate-kicks in our one big family bed. But overall I actually sleep pretty decently compared to many moms I know… So of course my inner critic jumps in with “Why are you so tired? You shouldn’t be. You’re not healthy enough. Not active enough. Not drinking enough water. You’re lazy.” That’s all normal negative self talk, right? But here’s the weird thing. THEN, I have a critical...
Surprise! I've just made a brand new play resource: "Turkey Day Play!" It's a printable Thanksgiving-themed resource full of prompt-based games for laughter and connection. If you don't have the apps or advent calendar, this will give you a good idea of what's inside -- and if you do have them, you'll love this "gravy-flavored" version! DOWNLOAD, PRINT, AND PLAY: Turkey Day Play.pdf *perfect for family get-togethers and fun even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving! If you try these out, I'd...
The other night, my stepdaughter was telling me about a cheerleading game they played called Little Sally Walker. It's a silly dancing game I used to play with my theatre students. She said that when it was her turn, she “couldn’t think of what to do” so she just gave a shy little disco finger while everyone else was being sassy and shaking their hips... I told her I understood. It’s hard to feel that pressure in the moment. I can totally remember what that feels like. Then I asked, “What if...