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.
Six months in the making...
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Back in July, I was spending 8 hours a day by my newborn daughter's bassinet in the NICU. She had come six weeks early, and sleeping was her full-time job. I’d hold her for most of those hours, stepping away only to scarf down a granola bar or rush to the bathroom. By the end of each day, my body ached from sitting, and my heart ached (huge understatement) as I dragged myself out of that building without her. While I was there, my heart also longed for my toddler son. I’d promised myself we’d soak up more one-on-one time before Novi arrived, but life had other plans. What helped a lot during those long days was daydreaming of little, silly ways to make the kids laugh once we were all home together again. Not like actual games or structured activities — just tiny, random moments of joy we could share in the midst of everything. I started jotting down every quirky idea that made me smile, typing into my notes app as machines beeped around me and nurses bustled in and out. Those notes became Little Moments for Big Laughs. It’s for anyone who wants to loosen up, laugh more with their kids, and bring more playfulness into their day, no matter how tired or serious they feel. Inside you’ll find:
“My son LOVES this!
I still have to get into this kind of play and let go to be ‘silly,’ but I think of Mia’s words so often. It has truly saved us so many times.
The ebook was so easy to follow — I even read it during a 40-minute car ride as a passenger with my son in the backseat!
I never had a role model for this kind of play before, and now Mia is mine.
— Chantal
Back in the NICU, even in the sadness and stress, I knew laughter would play a huge part in our family’s healing. And while there’s still unprocessed trauma, laughter has already brought so much light to this season. I’m so honored to share this new creation with the world. My hope is that it helps many families heal, connect, and find joy in the smallest, silliest moments — even if just for a few seconds at a time. Because those little moments add up in a big way. Get Little Moments for Big Laughs here With love, Mia P.S. I’ll be sending a few reminders about this new resource to make sure everyone has a chance to check it out. If you’d rather skip those reminders but stay on my email list, just click here! |
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.
I was telling my therapist yesterday how TIRED I’ve been. Yes, I have a teething 1yo and a 4yo who occasionally karate-kicks in our one big family bed. But overall I actually sleep pretty decently compared to many moms I know… So of course my inner critic jumps in with “Why are you so tired? You shouldn’t be. You’re not healthy enough. Not active enough. Not drinking enough water. You’re lazy.” That’s all normal negative self talk, right? But here’s the weird thing. THEN, I have a critical...
Surprise! I've just made a brand new play resource: "Turkey Day Play!" It's a printable Thanksgiving-themed resource full of prompt-based games for laughter and connection. If you don't have the apps or advent calendar, this will give you a good idea of what's inside -- and if you do have them, you'll love this "gravy-flavored" version! DOWNLOAD, PRINT, AND PLAY: Turkey Day Play.pdf *perfect for family get-togethers and fun even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving! If you try these out, I'd...
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...