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.
Joy sandwiched in the chaos (and why it COUNTS!)
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The other night, I caught myself thinking something that wasn’t true. It had been one of those tricky days. 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 version:
We were laughing. Then after dinner, the bickering started again. And I caught myself thinking: It didn’t count. That the joy and laughter at dinner didn’t “count” because I lost my cool after. But that’s not true. Joy and connection often live right in the middle of the mess. Sometimes it feels like if playfulness doesn’t fix the whole day, it didn’t “work.” It counts. Your invitation this week: If today’s been rough, find one small pocket of play. Make up a silly story, play “Would You Rather,” or “Who Can Sound Like.” And then trust that it counts. (And if your brain’s tired and you need ideas ready to go, here’s a shameless plug for my apps! 💞) Cheering you on always, P.S. In case you missed it, I made a new Halloween freebie! It's like pumpkin spice-flavored sample of my app games, full of wholesome silly Halloweeny prompts for connection. 🎃 Just tap the link below to download it! MORE FROM PLAYFUL HEART PARENTING: Done-for-you fun. Simple, creative apps that take the brainwork out and put connection and laughter in. LITTLE MOMENTS FOR BIG LAUGHS: Quick and easy, random, silly moments to share with your kids. Private podcast program: playful strategies for navigating everyday parenting challenges and reducing power struggles. |
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 was telling my therapist yesterday how TIRED I’ve been. Yes, I have a teething 1yo and a 4yo who occasionally karate-kicks in our one big family bed. But overall I actually sleep pretty decently compared to many moms I know… So of course my inner critic jumps in with “Why are you so tired? You shouldn’t be. You’re not healthy enough. Not active enough. Not drinking enough water. You’re lazy.” That’s all normal negative self talk, right? But here’s the weird thing. THEN, I have a critical...
Surprise! I've just made a brand new play resource: "Turkey Day Play!" It's a printable Thanksgiving-themed resource full of prompt-based games for laughter and connection. If you don't have the apps or advent calendar, this will give you a good idea of what's inside -- and if you do have them, you'll love this "gravy-flavored" version! DOWNLOAD, PRINT, AND PLAY: Turkey Day Play.pdf *perfect for family get-togethers and fun even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving! If you try these out, I'd...
The other night, my stepdaughter was telling me about a cheerleading game they played called Little Sally Walker. It's a silly dancing game I used to play with my theatre students. She said that when it was her turn, she “couldn’t think of what to do” so she just gave a shy little disco finger while everyone else was being sassy and shaking their hips... I told her I understood. It’s hard to feel that pressure in the moment. I can totally remember what that feels like. Then I asked, “What if...