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.
Is it our “job” to play?
|
There’s a big debate on social media about independent play vs. interactive play. “Play is the work of children. It’s not our job to play with our kids!” I see it all the time—hundreds of parents (who struggle with playfulness) jumping in and shouting, “Yes! THANK YOU! I hate playing, and now I don’t have to!” You might be surprised to hear this… …I don’t totally disagree. Despite what it might look like on my Instagram, I’m not playing with my kids all day. Most of the time, they’re playing on their own. And while I talk a lot about collaborative play, independent play is just as important in our home. You won’t often catch me on the floor building with magnatiles or even coloring. And if my son’s happily playing with his monster trucks, I’m not jumping in with, “Hey, I’ll be the red one!” Kids don’t need us to interrupt like that. AND, interactive play is a huge part of our family’s dynamic too. It’s a joyful way to connect that really matters to the kids and is fun for us, too. Is it the only way to connect? No. But it’s a big one. So, which is better? Independent or interactive play? I just think it’s a silly question. They’re both wonderful for different reasons!😉 Here’s my invitation for you this week: • When you see your child playing independently, stay curious from a distance. Just watch. It’s amazing what they process through play. • If they invite you to join and you’re up for it, jump in without worrying that it’s disruptive. Trust me, one type of play doesn’t cancel out the other. Love, Mia _________________________________
|
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 turned 39 yesterday. Here’s what I’m taking with me into my last year of my 30s… …and what I’d like to leave behind! TAKING WITH ME (Or prioritizing if I’ve let it slip lately) • Games at mealtimes (Plot Twist is still a hit with my son!) • Being my authentic, comfy, messy self online • Laughing more with my husband (not just with the kids) • Trying at least one silly little thing a day (lately I’ve been pulling from my own Little Moments collection) • Telling my kids how much I love...
My fam was in town this past weekend. My sweet son turned four(!!) and my mom, sis, and dad flew out to celebrate. We packed a lot in and while sometimes quick visits like this can feel stressful, this was a great weekend full of moments that helped everyone laugh and loosen up so I want to share them with you now! 1- Name That (Minion) Tune We sang songs like the minions from “despicable me” and it’s literally so fun for all ages (even grandpa played) - tip, just sing the syllables...
The other night, I caught myself thinking something that wasn’t true. It had been one of those tricky days. The older two were bickering. My son was being too rough with the baby (my biggest trigger). I lost my temper. But then dinner shifted everything. Just me and the kids, waiting for my husband, connecting through my favorite way: collaborative storytelling. (We each tell a few sentences, then say “popcorn!” to pass it on.) That night’s story was called Nigel and the Beast 😂 Quick...