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.
Romance these days…
|
I got back from a walk the other day and saw a bunch of stuff set up in the front yard. “We’re playing arcade games. Pay up!” said my stepdaughter who was “working the ticket booth.” My husband leaned over, handing me two quarters saying, “They only take real money.” We laughed that the kids were the ones sitting and watching the grownups playing. I managed to win four tickets by bouncing a ball into a bucket! When my stepdaughter told me to pick out a prize, I selected a pink football. But she said, “Sorry, that actually costs five tickets. You only have four.” “Oh…” I answered. “Well, what can I get with four?” She pointed to a sad, small plastic shovel. “That’s okay,” I said. “I’ll just donate my tickets to that cute guy over there” pointing to my husband who was kicking a ball with my son. She gave my tickets to him. “Can I get a pink football?” he asked. He handed me the football and I said, “Aaaand THIS is peak romance when you’re parents.” We were cracking up. Because it’s so true. Romance just looks different in this season. Little moments that we add in during pretend play with our kids that say, “I still think you’re cute.” Leaning into silliness and play as a family isn’t just for the kids. It brings my husband and me closer together, too. When we all laugh together, it’s just as good for our marriage as it is for our parenting. And for those of you doing the hardest job — parenting solo… Romance isn’t just “hubba hubba” moments with a partner. Laughter through play can be your fast-pass to get there. My invitation for you this week: Reflect on one tiny funny or joyful moment you’ve had with your family lately. Take a second to relive it — or set the intention to create a new one today. 💞 Love, Mia P.S. I’m excited that many of you have grabbed the “Laughing All the Way” advent calendar! It’s so fun to picture all of us playing the same silly little games with our families each day in December. 🥰 If you want to join us, tap here! *If you want to keep getting these weekly emails but don’t want reminders about the calendar, tap here. If you already opted out but got one on Sunday, my bad! I’ve got it fixed now. 💞 |
Playful Heart Parenting
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.
Whether that subject line made you chuckle or cringe… this email’s for you! “So you’re telling me if I snuck a giant whoopee cushion onto your chair and you sat on it… you wouldn’t laugh?!” That’s what I asked a friend recently during a conversation about potty humor. She’s an amazing, fun, silly person, but the idea of joking about toots made her uncomfortable. For her, even typing out that word felt “improper.” It was just the way she was raised, even though she had an incredibly loving and...
I don’t remember many specific gifts I got for Christmas as a kid. The only one I really recall was “Sally Secrets”—a doll with stamps and stickers hidden inside (yeah, it was pretty cool). My husband remembers getting a “WrestleMania” wrestling ring… But what we both really cherish and remember is the feelings and the moments of joy we shared with family. One of my favorite traditions growing up was listening to the Nutcracker. We’d put on a whole living-room performance every year, roping...
“Yeah. Not doing that.” That was a comment I got on a recent reel where my play therapist pal and I showed playful ways for overstimulated parents to reset. I’m used to the haters coming out, especially when a video goes viral, but there was something about this comment that made me feel kind of sad. I took it to say, “I’m too cool for that. You look stupid.” Now, I’m a theatre person. I’m really comfortable being and looking silly. But I also know all too well the pressure we can feel to...