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.
Romance these days…
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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 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.
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...
You know what hits me right in the gut when it pops up in my feed? Those reels about waking up at 80 and wishing for just one more day with your kids as littles. It’s not a gut-punch because it’s wrong. It’s a gut-punch because it’s true. And it physically hurts my stomach to think I might not be soaking it up enough right now. It’s the same ache I feel when someone says, “Enjoy it, it flies by.” Even as I type this, I’m lying between my sleeping 4-year-old and 1-year-old. Not petting their...
The following story is how something very funny happened in a very formal setting and how it turned my whole day around. I hope it brightens your day, too. 💞 The other day my husband, who works in football, remembered something once he got home from work. “I think the coach might have accidentally said ‘fart’ in his press conference today…” he said. Naturally, we had to find the clip. When he did, I laughed so hard my son looked genuinely concerned. Because it was even better than I could...