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.
Yeah. Not doing that.
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“Yeah. Not doing that.” That was a comment I got on a recent reel where my play therapist pal and I showed playful ways for overstimulated parents to reset. I’m used to the haters coming out, especially when a video goes viral, but there was something about this comment that made me feel kind of sad. I took it to say, “I’m too cool for that. You look stupid.” Now, I’m a theatre person. I’m really comfortable being and looking silly. But I also know all too well the pressure we can feel to look and act “cool.” And when someone talks like that it can take me right back to middle school. One of the most beautiful things about becoming a mom has been that I care so much less… …so much less that I now publicly act a fool on the internet to inspire other parents to be more playful! Do I look silly? Yes. And it makes my kid — and me — laugh. That’s about as “cool” as it gets, if you ask me. So if you’re holding back being silly because it makes you feel insecure, I really do understand. But pushing past that and embracing your silly side… …that’s where the best moments with our kids live. Speaking of silly… I’m excited to announce my latest creation: Laughing All the Way — an advent calendar with 25 creative, silly holiday play prompts!🎄 I know the holiday season can feel stressful and busy for families. This is an easy and fun way to be intentional about making time for laughter and connection. Tap here to grab it (for just $9.99!) before it’s released to the rest of the world… because you’re special. ;)
If you don’t celebrate Christmas, stay tuned for another fun resource coming soon! And my invitation for you this week: Reflect on times in your life you felt like you had to be “cool.” How has parenting changed that — or made you want to change it? Love, Mia P.S. If you’d rather not get reminders about the holiday calendar but want to keep receiving my weekly emails, just tap 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.
There’s this trend on social media, maybe you’ve seen it - short videos saying… “I’m bored. Tell me your wildest hack for ___. I don’t mean basic, I mean unhinged.” Honestly though some of those comment sections have some really interesting tips! But what I get hung up on is like… You’re “BORED??” Adults get bored? I don’t! I don’t have the time or space to be bored. I wish I could be bored! I don’t think parents even remember what it feels like to be bored. Right? Maybe… and I’m literally...
“I know the truth.” That’s the mantra I’ve developed over the last few years. When I started Playful Heart Parenting I thought I’d have to grow “thicker skin” to deal with criticism on the internet. It felt like part of the deal. No way around it. What I didn’t know yet is that the criticism would sometimes bleed into my real, non-internet life too, from people who know me personally. But guess what? Two and a half years later, I have not grown thicker skin. Criticism still stings. It still...
“This room is driving me CRAZY!” I huffed as I pushed a couch to the other side of the room while holding a clingy baby on my hip The living room was crammed with stuff, the furniture so oddly arranged that walking wasn’t even possible. “Why is it driving you crazy? It’s just a room!” My 3yo… The voice of innocence… and wisdom!! All I could do was laugh. Because he was RIGHT! It reminded me of a song that Leah S., one of the parents in the first round of Activate Play Mode, made up. The...