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 didn't feel like being playful Friday night... But it realllly helped.
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Dinner on Friday was tense and grumpy. It was “transition day” for my stepdaughter, her first day back at our house after being at her mom’s. This day is always tough—big feelings as she adjusts to a new atmosphere and we shift from being parents of two to three. There was whining, complaining, and attitude… and my husband and I, after a long week, were definitely over it. I wanted to lecture, but I knew we really just needed to laugh. So, I suggested, “20 Questions. I’m thinking of something… start guessing!” (It was a pumpkin, if you’re curious.) My stepdaughter went next and was thinking of “Christmas tree." I got it right away and we laughed, shocked that we were on the same wavelength. My husband’s turn was tricky -- he was thinking of “Thanksgiving dinner” and we couldn't get it for the longest time. We teased him about how hard it was. Then my three-year-old, who’d never played, wanted a turn. This is where it got really hilarious: He bounced with excitement as we asked if it was food, a toy, anything we could think of. Every answer was a mischievous “Noooo…!” and we were all giggling. Finally, my husband guessed, “Are you thinking of NOTHING?” “YES!!!!” my son shouted, thrilled. 😂 We were all laughing hysterically at this point and the night was soooo much smoother from there on out. I hadn’t wanted to play at first. Honestly, I felt like staying frustrated. But I knew play could turn things around, and it did. My invitation to you this week: When things feel tense, see if you can flip the switch to playful with a simple game. And if you can’t, that’s okay too. We’re all doing our best. Love, P.S. Something fun is coming for the holidays—stay tuned! ❄️ P.P.S. I’m gearing up to refresh a lot of my business offerings! My $5 guide, From Tired to Playful, will likely be retired by mid-November—so grab it while it’s here. 😉 Tap here to get yours! |
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 have a new, wonderful friend named Jen. We met in person here in Nashville at our mutual friend Eli’s book tour stop (shout out @attachmentnerd and her awesome new book!!), and Jen and I had one of these moments: We bonded immediately over our love for improv, fart humor, being stepmoms, and just general jolly weirdness. A few days later, she texted me that she was having her weekly “inner child date” and was using my new “What Should We Doodle” app (part of the PHP app bundle). She then...
Yesterday while I was on a call upstairs, my stepdaughter (10) ran up and said, “Mia, look! My nose changed” She was grinning, holding up a wrinkly piece of skin-colored clay that she’d shaped into a fake, pointy witch-looking nose. “Yes!! Put a wart on that thing, poke two holes in the side, and throw it in the oven. I’ll add string to it for you so you can wear it!” I said excitedly. She was thrilled. Several hours later, we put the finishing touches on her freshly baked witch nose and were...
My sis and her partner were here this past weekend and as usual there were lots of laughs.(If you’ve seen our FAMPROV videos… you know exactly the vibe!) Yesterday on the drive home from a park, my son (4) asked to play “Plot Twist” - making up a story together using prompts from my app.It ended up being one of my favorite little parts of the whole visit, because “Aunt Naddy” and “Tuncle” (tío + uncle) are professional improv performers and just so happen to be endlessly creative, hilarious,...