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 quickest, easiest game that made me feel closer to my son before bed
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My favorite part of the day yesterday was oinking like a pig with my son for five minutes. Hear me out, because it wasn't your typical "let's just act like animals" kind of play... I know that can feel unbearable for parents! It was because he ran and jumped on me before bed and did a little snort-laugh so I said, "Aww is this my little piglet?" He said yeah! Let's snort! I couldn't snort because I've already had a stuffy nose, but I could oink! So of the cuff I said, "Let's oink messages to each other and try to figure out what we're really saying!" He was all for it. We used our tone, gestures, and facial expressions to communicate purely in "oinks" and got so excited when the other person got it right. The messages were simple like, "I love you sooo much," "Ew, did you fart?" and "It's time to brush teeth!" It was the perfect quick and easy way to connect before bed after a long, busy day, and I was so grateful that I'd made time for it even though I was so tired (because truly, it didn't take any energy... I was lying down the whole time! In fact, it reenergized me because his laughter is so infectious). My invitation for you this week: 1. See if you can communicate in "oinks" (or "moos" or "bawks" or just plain gibberish!) 2. If you're interested in more improv-inspired games, check out my brand new resource FAMPROV that just came out last week! It's a digital library of video demonstrations and instructions of my favorite improv games for family connection along with a printable booklet. Tap HERE to learn more! Cheering you on always, Mia MORE FROM PLAYFUL HEART PARENTING: Family improv games for connection! A digital library with demonstration videos plus printable guide of fun improv games to bring you closer together through laughter and creativity. Simple, creative apps + printable card decks with 1400+ prompts that take the brainwork out and put connection and laughter in! Audio course + community: 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.
I recently got back into doing at-home dance workouts. Aside from walking, this is truly the only form of exercise I enjoy, and it’s been YEARS. Why do I love it so much? Because it’s fun, challenging in an enjoyable way, and brings back a big part of myself (the performer part)! But what I didn’t expect to happen was for it to become a new bonding activity for me and my 10yo stepdaughter! Surprisingly, she’s taken an interest in doing the dance workouts with me when she’s here, and I have to...
I’m writing this sandwiched between two sweaty snoring babies so I’m keeping it short (Okay so they’re 4 and almost 2 but… I’m still calling them babies, okay?? 😭) If you know me you know I lovvvve my word-a-time games like One Word Story/Commercial/Complaint Letter/Love Letter… Add “One Word Warning” to the top of the list because it’s our new fave. You simply make up a ridiculous warning together by alternating every other word. When I played with my stepdaughter (10) the other night the...
In case you missed it... a couple months back I shared a video of my stepdaughter and me playing our favorite game: "One Word Commercial," where we make up a fake commercial on the spot, trading off every other word. It ended being about ointment for an itchy butt... but with lots of disastrous side effects. The video went viral, with folks chiming in with their own playful comments and excitement to try this with their own families (yay!!) (If you want to watch it after you read the rest of...