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.
It's you I like.
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For some reason while I was cutting up apple slices yesterday, the song “It’s You I Like” by Mr. Rogers popped into my head. I started singing it. It’s such a beautiful song. Lyrically, melodically, everything about it. After lunch I sat down with both kiddos on my lap and sang it again as they listened, loving it. And then again. My son said, “I like that part when it goes when you’re feeling blue.” Me too, buddy. All emotions are welcome and do not make us "good" or "bad" or any less worthy of being liked. Singing those words to my kids got me unexpectedly emotional. Something about Mr Rogers just does that. Always has. Maybe it’s his calm, comforting presence that just patiently speaks to you like a human being worthy of being loved just by being you. In fact, that’s exactly what he said. And that’s exactly it! (Oh, how I long for my children to feel that!!) Then my son wanted to watch Mr. Rogers sing it so we YouTubed it and this is how it started, with Mr rogers saying: “Human beings learn best and most from other human beings. And we learn best from people who really care about us. People we really like.” As if I wasn’t already emotional enough… That got me. And there I sat, like a child again, completely mesmerized, calmed, and comforted by Mr. Rogers. And all these years later… he has the same impact on my kids. Humans learn best from the humans that care about them the most. Our babes are learning from us every day… …and we are learning from them. My invitation for you this week: Simply to read these lyrics (and if you want, watch Mr. Rogers sing it to you HERE) It's You I Like
Written by Fred Rogers | © 1971, Fred M. Rogers
It's you I like,
It's not the things you wear, It's not the way you do your hair But it's you I like The way you are right now, The way down deep inside you Not the things that hide you, Not your toys They're just beside you.
But it's you I like
Every part of you. Your skin, your eyes, your feelings Whether old or new. I hope that you'll remember Even when you're feeling blue That it's you I like, It's you yourself It's you. It's you I like. Cheering you on always. Love, MORE FROM PLAYFUL HEART PARENTING: LITTLE MOMENTS FOR BIG LAUGHS: Quick and easy, random, silly ideas for connection through laughter – just for the sake of fun! A bingeable (and actually fun!) course that helps you unlock your creativity and playfulness — even when you're running on empty. With practical strategies you can use right away to feel more present, lighthearted, and connected. |
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.
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