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My nervous system was shot the other day and I was really on edge and agitated. I felt stuck in “serious mode.” Part of me knew that if I could “activate play mode” even just a little bit, we could all feel a little better. But another part of me was like: “NO. I don’t WANT to lighten up right now. I deserve to feel this way!” It’s true, I did deserve to feel that way. AND yet there was also this tiny voice asking: What if you let go of clinging to serious mode… just for a minute? That opportunity presented itself when I was folding laundry and all three of my kids wandered over to help. Instead of saying, “Wow, guys! Thank you!” I decided to be silly about it and instead said: “Ohhh wow. I know what happened. I fell asleep! Yeahhh, I’m sleeping right now and I’m having a great dream that my kids are all helping me fold laundry!!! This is great, never wake me!” They started pinching my arm to prove it was real but I wasn’t “falling for it” and kept trying to make other crazy things happen in my dream like candy fall from the ceiling. then I’d say “ewww! All I can taste is stale fart air! This dream is sooo weird!” They were all laughing. And… I felt the heavy rock on my chest lift. Not completely. But it was lighter. Enough to reconnect and change the course of the entire afternoon!! My invitation for you this week: I wanted to share this because I think we all have moments where we can feel a little crack forming, where lightness is trying to come through… but something inside us wants to cling to anger, hurt, or control. I’m NOT saying we shouldn’t feel those emotions, so please don’t get me wrong here!!! I’m definitely not promoting toxic positivity. I’m just saying when you notice that little crack, try giving yourself permission to let a teeeeny bit of light in. Because every single time I do, I never regret it. Cheering you on always, Mia 💞 P.S. If you are an Activate Play Mode member, we just moved our community onto the Circle app and it's AWESOME! So easy to chat with each other, and yes I am active in the group! This is included with your APM purchase, no matter when you grabbed it, so if you haven't seen an invite from me, reply here and I'll make sure to get you in there. 🥰 MORE FROM PLAYFUL HEART PARENTING: Learn how to play all my FAVORITE improv-inspired games for laughter, connection, and all-ages fun. Skip the brainpower and jump straight into fun with with 1,500+ prompts, games, conversation starters, and silly moment ideas right in your pocket! Includes 400 print-your-own cards for screen-free play. A practical framework to help you enjoy parenting again with more laughter, cooperation, and connection. Includes lifetime access to the private podcast course, app and community, plus ongoing encouragement from Mia. |
Quick, honest reflections on parenting, playfulness, and finding more joy in everyday family life, each with one simple idea to try. Browse the latest reads below, and subscribe to never miss one in your inbox each Tuesday.
I'm not going to lie to you. Things were pretty tense in my household over the weekend. Mostly due to me having some pent-up frustrations and stress and just unleashing it on everyone all at once. When those kind of moments/days/weekends happen in my home there's a weird thing that happens in my brain which sounds something like: "Wow, Mia. Who's playful now? If only your community could see the real you being an absolute tornado of grumpiness and seriousness right now! You're such a fraud!!"...
You'll never catch me running... unless a bee is chasing me. But the other night, as I was finishing up a sweaty walk, pushing my 4yo and 2yo in the double stroller... UPHILL... ...in 90 degree Tennessee humidity that felt like 200 degrees... My husband Steve pulled up next to us as he was getting home from work. "Run, Mommy, run!" my son squealed. "Let's race Daddy home!!!!" (we were at the bottom of the hill still and our house is at the top). I tossed my head back and laughed, thinking:...
My creative brain has been pretty ZAPPED.For the past couple weeks, I’ve been doing a LOT of solo parenting while my husband’s work schedule has been demanding — and I’ve been cramming my own work into all the nooks and crannies. Waking up at 5am. Working after bedtime. Answering messages between wiping butts and fetching snacks. 😂 Me and my giant mug of coffee, LOCKING IN So I’ve actually been relying on my own Silly Moments apps more than usual — because I want to be present and have fun...