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.
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. 💞 |
The Playful Heart Journel
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.
My creative brain has been pretty ZAPPED.For the past couple weeks, I’ve been doing a LOT of solo parenting while my husband’s work schedule has been demanding — and I’ve been cramming my own work into all the nooks and crannies. Waking up at 5am. Working after bedtime. Answering messages between wiping butts and fetching snacks. 😂 Me and my giant mug of coffee, LOCKING IN So I’ve actually been relying on my own Silly Moments apps more than usual — because I want to be present and have fun...
My 10yo stepdaughter was feeling too nervous to eat breakfast before school. School-related anxiety is a thing we’ve been navigating for about two years now, and it ebbs and flows. Reasoning with her and telling her she had to eat was only making her cry and resist more. So I said how about we play a game to help your mind move through this? And if you can, eat some while we play? I was grateful she instantly agreed… we’ve done this before and she knows it helps. She chose “word ball” - a...
Did your teachers in school ever do the classic “If you can hear my voice, clap once…” thing? As a theatre educator, I did similar calls for students to pay attention but tried to mix things up to keep it more fun and less robotic… Like, “If you can hear my voice… put your finger on your nose stand on one foot Stick out your tongue Do the Macarena Say, “Well butter my biscuits!” Then my students would be like ☝️ Now at home with my son, I use the exact same strategy when it seems like he's...