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I'm so tired... I can’t tell you how many times I got interrupted while trying to get this simple email out! As a toddler mom and stepmom with no family in town, sometimes I feel like it’s impossible to get even the most simple things done. Oh, and by the way... I’m also 23 weeks pregnant! (I haven't made this public on Instagram yet, so ya heard it here first! 😉) Add in potty-training my son this week and I feel like I'm hanging on by a thread. (Stay tuned for playful potty training tips!) See, I’m here in the thick of it with you. That’s why I always want to make sure my resources are not just valuable but feel realistic, easy, and actually doable for parents. I can promise you that our upcoming 7-Day Play Challenge is all of those things! Each day, starting May 4th, participants will get a quick video message from me with a playful intention and easy, specific ideas that take less than ten minutes — you’ll also have the option to send me responses and check in throughout the week. We did the first round of this in January and it was so nice to connect with parents in this really personal way. Here's what one participant said:
"I loved the challenge!! It was really well presented -- how brilliant to use Marco Polo! For the cost of Starbucks, it was a no-brainer. Thank you for the work that you do and the content you create."
I’d love for you to join us. Get more info here:
FREE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY GROUP: We’ve also got a new, free, private Facebook group going — it’s small and cozy so far, which is kind of cool and more personal! I’m personally approving each member to make sure it’s a safe space for sharing ideas, wins, and struggles.
Here’s something a mom in our group shared the other day that I totally related to: “I feel like motherhood somehow made me lose all my natural spontaneity and goofiness (I guess because someone had to move the day along and check all the to-do boxes??) and I so appreciate the permission I feel like Mia gives me to not take everything so seriously and just have fun with my kids again!“ That is exactly how I felt when I first became a stepmom! It took me a while to get back in touch with my playful, silly side, too. RECENT FAVE GAMES: Here are some recent games we’ve been loving in our house:
STAY TUNED... I've got some (more) exciting announcements coming your way next month! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your playful parenting journey -- it’s an honor. Until next time, Mia P.S. If you do not yet have my free list of 25 Easy And Silly Moments To Share With Your Kids -- or if you got the version where numbers 4 and 18 were accidentally the same (oops!), here it is: 25 Easy Silly Moments updated.pdf I also relied on this one heavily while feeling so sick and tired during my first trimester: Using AI For Connection & Quality Time 15 Creative ChatGPT Prompts.pdf |
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.
My parents and sis were in town this past weekend and, as usual, we played improv games. And, as usual, I laughed so hard I screamed, cried, and... got a hangover!? (No alcohol involved). Yes, the other night, my sister made me laugh to the point of tears... my kids looked concerned at one point. What was the game that got me so good, you ask? TV Talking. We've been playing since we were little kids and, yep, here I am about to turn 40 and we still play every chance we get. All you do is mute...
"Can you play a quick game with me pleeeease?" I asked my husband before bedtime the other night. (I wanted to demonstrate one of the games from the Halloween freebie!) It had been a REALLY long work day for him so, rightfully so, he was a little reluctant but agreed. What a guy! 😍 I closed my eyes, pointed to a random square on the sheet, and landed on a silly family storytelling game: CHALLENGE: Make up a story together, taking turns every few sentences. Use this title to get you started:...
I got a comment on Instagram the other day that got under my skin and I just couldn't shake the frustration... ...even after a magnificent therapy call that just happened to be right after I saw said comment! I was sharing my frustrations and my hurt with my pal Jen (yes the same Jen I always talk about here). She is also a content creator and just GETS it. I vented, she listened, validated, we had the whole convo, but THEN, before moving on with the day, Jen said: "Before you get wrapped up...