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.
Moms… can I get real with you for a sec?
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I’ve seen this study going around on social media that kind of bothers me: It says mothers get more oxytocin from cuddling their kids and dads get more oxytocin from playing with their kids. The study itself doesn’t bother me. It’s the hundreds of comments saying: “I hate playing with my kids. My husband's the fun one, I’m the nurturing one. Good to know it’s just science.” And my most viral reel? My husband. The world loves a fun dad. Here’s what the stigma seems to be: Dads = fun, silly, playful Moms = nurturing, carrying the mental load, nagging, all the NOT-fun stuff. That’s some B.S. — sorry, I said it! Moms, I’m here to tell you: we get to be nurturing AND fun. “Fun” can be silly and simple. Doesn’t have to be rough-and-tumble. Example: My son and I used a “magic wand” to freeze and unfreeze each other today and he was squealing with laughter. It’s already been my favorite part of the day. What are your thoughts on this? Reply and let me know — I’d love to hear! Love, Mia P.S. Here’s a message from a mom yesterday that sparked this email: “I started using your free ideas for being silly and it has magically diffused so many almost-tense moments. It's made me feel so much more real, relaxed, and not stressed. I always hated that my husband was the "fun one,” but now I feel happy having even fifteen mins of silly time!” P.P.S. Have you saved that list yet? Here it is: 25 Easy Silly Moments updated.pdf P.P.P.S. I'm experimenting with sending short, weekly emails like this to keep in touch with you. I'll still be posting on Instagram, but shifting my focus to be more personal here. That algorithm is crazy and I never know if even 1% of followers will see my content -- so thank you in advance for sticking around! 🙏🏽 |
The Playful Heart Journal
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.
Everyone was still asleep while I was sipping my coffee on the couch this past Saturday morning. My 10yo stepdaughter was the first to come out and as she came towards me, I almost held out my arm as an invitation to snuggle... but before I could process the thought, she'd already plopped down on the other end of the couch. My stepdaughter and I have never really had a "snuggly" relationship, and it's something I used to crave... there is still part of me that longs for that, but I definitely...
My parents and sister were visiting the other day for my son's birthday (he's 5 now!!! 😭), and I asked my 78-year-old dad if he wanted to try my silly drawing prompt app, "What Should We Doodle"... Let's just say he understood the assignment. 😂 My sister pulled up the app and tapped the "gross stuff" category to give him a doodle challenge. His first mission was to draw a "sticky clump of earwax riding a skateboard." He spent so long on it and was cracking himself up in the process. so much...
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...