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.
Sorry I got a little sappier than usual in this one
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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 heads or breathing them in, but staring at my phone. Partly because this is when I work. My whole business happens here during their sleep. But those posts still make me feel sick, like nothing I do will ever be enough. Like I’ll regret not savoring every second. 😭 But I also know that’s not realistic. Those videos are meant to wake us up, to make us go, “Oh my gosh, I need to appreciate what’s right in front of me.” And yet, they still make me sad. I hate thinking about time passing fast and my kids growing up. Nothing makes me feel more tender but also grateful at the same time? The emotions are so complicated! Do you feel this way, too? Let me know how you’re coping with it 🫠 My invitation to you (and to myself): Let’s savor what we can, and try to release the guilt for not doing it constantly. Sometimes soaking it up looks like deep moments of presence, sure. Other times, or maybe even most times(?), it looks like just laughing together and snuggling for a few minutes in the middle of the chaos. Speaking of…!! I just finished making this year’s advent calendar Laughing All the Way (shout out to my friend Liz who came up with the perfect title last year!) I’m personally excited to use with my kids this year. It’s a month of lighthearted, silly little games that help us connect in the middle of all the busyness. Tap HERE to learn more and grab it for 9 bucks 💞 Cheering you on always, Mia P.S. If you don’t celebrate Christmas but still want simple, daily moments of play, my apps make it easy. You can also grab my free Play Break Bingo if you don’t have it yet! MORE FROM PLAYFUL HEART PARENTING: Done-for-you fun. Simple, creative prompts for games and silly moments of connection that take the brainwork out and let you skip straight to the fun part. Private podcast program: playful strategies for navigating everyday parenting challenges and reducing power struggles. |
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 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...
I turned 39 yesterday. Here’s what I’m taking with me into my last year of my 30s… …and what I’d like to leave behind! TAKING WITH ME (Or prioritizing if I’ve let it slip lately) • Games at mealtimes (Plot Twist is still a hit with my son!) • Being my authentic, comfy, messy self online • Laughing more with my husband (not just with the kids) • Trying at least one silly little thing a day (lately I’ve been pulling from my own Little Moments collection) • Telling my kids how much I love...
My fam was in town this past weekend. My sweet son turned four(!!) and my mom, sis, and dad flew out to celebrate. We packed a lot in and while sometimes quick visits like this can feel stressful, this was a great weekend full of moments that helped everyone laugh and loosen up so I want to share them with you now! 1- Name That (Minion) Tune We sang songs like the minions from “despicable me” and it’s literally so fun for all ages (even grandpa played) - tip, just sing the syllables...