I got this message yesterday on Instagram: “Your videos are always so amazing. It seems like you have endless patience. How do you have the capacity at the end of a long day to still be silly? I find myself wanting it to move quickly and them just do what they need to so we can get to bedtime.” I’m going to be completely honest… I’m not a patient person by nature. I can lose my patience easily. I usually want things to move faster. I often start eating my food before I even get to the table (is that a cringey confession? I get hangry, don’t judge!) So if I don’t actually have “endless patience,” how am I able to be playful in tricky moments? Well, first let’s be clear: I do NOT always have the capacity to do that. But here’s what I’ve learned: Playfulness in parenting is like a muscle. The more you work it, the stronger it gets over time. So I can tell you with certainty that I have a heck of a lot more capacity for it than I would have a few years ago, when I never intentionally worked that muscle. As for the specific question about bedtime… For us, bedtime has just become more lax than it is for most people I know with young kids. Focusing on playfulness (when we can) leads to a smoother transition to rest for all of us rather than rushing and stressing. We try to view it as a time to connect, to laugh, and to enjoy each other before the day ends. BUT, please hear me: We definitely have our rushed nights and plenty of moments of frustration. So we just make time for it. Even when it’s getting late and we’re tired. We are far from perfect, but this is the goal we come back to. So if you’re feeling impatient and just want things to move faster, know that I get it. Here’s my invitation for you this week: Check in with yourself when things start to feel chaotic and ask yourself if there’s a chance to slow down, even for a second, and find some silly joy in the messiness of it all. (The answer won’t always be yes and that is okay!!) The more we practice, the easier it gets. Love, Mia P.S. Thank you so much for all the thoughts and ideas you’ve shared on the silly moments program — I’m really excited to dive into creating it! In the meantime, feel free to send any more thoughts my way. And for those of you who’ve sent well wishes for my baby girl, I can’t thank you enough. We’re trying a bunch of things, and I’m definitely feeling more hopeful (and less screamy) than last week. Your support means the world! |
I'm a mom, stepmom, and theatre educator who helps parents connect with their children by accessing their silly side! No messy arts and crafts, complicated activities, or sensory bins here -- just easy, simple, silly moments to share as a family. Short weekly emails include free resources, exclusive discounts, inspiration, playful tips, and easy game ideas.
Dinner on Friday was tense and grumpy. It was “transition day” for my stepdaughter, her first day back at our house after being at her mom’s. This day is always tough—big feelings as she adjusts to a new atmosphere and we shift from being parents of two to three. There was whining, complaining, and attitude… and my husband and I, after a long week, were definitely over it. I wanted to lecture, but I knew we really just needed to laugh. So, I suggested, “20 Questions. I’m thinking of...
I usually send these emails on Tuesday mornings, but yesterday, I felt I needed to give my son some extra playtime.Things have been pretty chaotic here. Baby girl is still struggling (though improving!), but she screams in her car seat and stroller, so even mental health walks are far from relaxing these days. My son’s understandably got cabin fever, and as for me—postpartum anxiety (and maybe a bit of depression) has been kicking my butt. I’m getting the help I need and feeling hopeful, but...
On Friday, I felt like a total failure. A friend invited us to the park, and I thought, “Yes, we need this.” I’ve been having a lot of guilt over not being outside enough with my son (it’s been hard to do that for a number of reasons). The story in my head was: This is your chance to redeem yourself and be a better mom. That narrative inside my head is exactly why the following events were such a blow to my confidence and self-worth: My son was so excited, asking me all day when we’d leave....