happy moms know how to play…

…in a way that works for them. Being a playful mom doesn’t necessarily mean the “get down on the floor and play trucks” type of play. In this interview on the Raising Playful Tots show, I discuss my “play philosophy”, which can be boiled down to a few simple points:

• Give yourself permission to be the mom you are. We aren’t all great at the same things: some moms are naturally crafty, some are musical, some are nature-lovers, some make excellent audience members. Don’t feel “less than” because your strengths aren’t the same as another mom’s. In the interview I share how much I stink at imaginative play with my kids (and why I no longer impose myself in their imaginary world), and why I finally decided that certain organized activities just aren’t for us.
• At the same time, push yourself a little. You don’t have to have an art history background or a home full of only the finest imported German crayons in order for your kids to get a chance to create. I’m about as un-athletic as a person can get, so I sometimes have to force myself to go outside and kick a ball around with the kids…but when I do, I always have fun. (However, as I’ve shared here before, I draw the line at publicly shaking out my sillies.) It’s okay if you don’t actively engage in every activity your kids are into, as long as you still make those activities accessible to your kids. If making play-doh just isn’t your thing, maybe you can do that activity at a craftier friend’s house. Maybe your house is where all the kids play tag, instead.
• Make it easy on yourself. Cleaning up paint off the floor and scraping play-doh off the table isn’t necessarily fun, but it’s less heinous if you put the art supplies in an area where you can get to them easily and throw a mat on the floor under the chair for easier clean-up. An impromptu game of soccer is a lot easier to jump into if you keep a ball-with air in it-near your back door. Assume that these kind of activities will be a regular part of your life, and set up your home to make everything from preparation to clean-up as low-fuss as possible
• Being a playful mom doesn’t always have to mean finger-plays or egg-carton crafts. It’s a state of mind-an attitude of seeing the world around you with wonder, curiosity, and humor, and helping your kids do the same. For example, my two oldest sons and I often launch an impromptu, improvised Broadway-style musical number while doing the dishes, complete with dance breaks. We’re having fun, we’re relaxed, we’re creating…we’re playing!

I’d love to hear about your “play philosophy”. And I know it’s been a long time since I posted…we just bought a house and I’m knee-deep in boxes and paint chips at the moment. I’ll get back to a more regular posting schedule as soon as the dust (literally and figuratively) has settled.

Other helpful posts like this:

Taking a pass on play: how outsourcing playtime helps me enjoy my toddler more Monsters in the night and the power of a mother