- $99 or 2 monthly payments of $49.50
Activate Play Mode
- Course
Activate Play Mode is an audio course (and private community) that teaches Mia's 11 playful strategies for navigating everyday parenting challenges and reducing power struggles.
This flexible set of simple, low-effort approaches will help you turn tasks, routines, transitions, and tough parenting moments into connection, cooperation, and even fun.
Best of all, you'll realize your own unique inner playfulness and creativity has been inside all along, just waiting to reveal itself!
Designed to help you loosen your grip on control and actually enjoy this season of parenthood, even in the small, everyday moments, while creating a home where it’s safe to be silly.
Included:
🎧 Private podcast audio access (listen on the podcast player of your choice)
🌟 Lifetime access to 16 original 20-minute "episodes," plus bonus episodes and all future updates
📲 Play Mode Strategy App (like a cheat sheet on your phone) with short demonstration videos
📘 Digital guidebook (like a Cliffnotes version of the course)
✨ "Play Mode Activators" private community FREE membership included for course members only
Note: This is a one-time purchase, not a subscription! If you select the two-payment option, the second installment will be charged automatically one month after the first.
Shaina
"I have taken many parenting courses about nervous systems, parenting strategies, working through anger, etc...
...but THIS actually made my body and mind feel safe enough to be in a headspace to utilize along with the other tools that I already have.
Mia is the magic that makes it so special and impactful."
Sara
"My favorite part of this was binging the podcast on my way to work.
I know there is still a lot of work to do for me but I have seen what this method can do.
We’re having lots more belly laughs and a lot less nagging (even with my husband!!)
And it's amazing meeting people from all over the world!"
Rachael
"Pretend play is like pulling teeth for me.
I really love that I now have more things to pull from.
This has made me realize that I can step out of my comfort zone, try something playful, and it really is doable even for someone like me!
Don’t pass this up; it can truly change your relationships with your kiddos."
Kami
Developmental Psychologist & Mother of Two
Gurjeet
Mother & APM Member
Kristen
Mother & APM Member
MORE LOVE FROM FELLOW PLAY MODE ACTIVATORS
This course is different. But don’t just take my word for it!
"Didn't expect to laugh out loud."
"I binge-listened to the first 8 lessons… You’ve already helped normalize playing in the everyday and shifted the energy in our home.
I didn’t expect to laugh out loud during a parenting course — but I did! And I really needed it."
Lisa
“Truly changed the way I show up as a parent.”
"The missing piece I didn’t even know I needed. I’ve reconnected with my older daughter after having a baby and it’s given me so much hope.
Unlocking Play Mode truly changed the way I show up as a parent — I love it so, so much!"
Sammy
“Totally different in the best way.”
"Refreshing.
Strategic.
Really usable — not just in parenting, but across life in general.
So much parenting stuff these days is full of buzzwords and heavy on nervous system talk, which is important, but… I’m saturated with that stuff.
This is totally different. Not overly psychological or touchy-feely. It’s clear and grounded, and just… different, in the best way.”
Leah
Somatic Psychotherapist, Parent of 3
“The missing piece of the parenting puzzle.”
"This feels like the missing piece of the parenting puzzle. I've read so many famous books about attachment theory and other parenting advice, and they've all been mega helpful...
But playfulness feels like the glue that holds all the rest of the stuff together.
It's been healing for me."
Grace
"I am feeling joy in motherhood return.
"I am feeling joy in motherhood return.
I’ve disliked so much of the motherhood experience so far and this has brought true enjoyment.
I’m so grateful that you use your voice to reach mothers like me who are craving skill sets like these that bring unity and laughter back as an every day experience!"
Caroline
"My kids are relaxed and I'm enjoying them."
"Before starting, I was more focused on behavior management, enforcing boundaries, and so on.
Now, not only are my kids a bit more relaxed, but also I’m enjoying my interactions with them more so it’s a double-win.
It’s genuinely been the missing ingredient for us."
Per
A MORE JOYFUL PATH THROUGH THE CHAOS OF RAISING KIDS
You don’t need to become a whole new person.
You don’t need to memorize scripts or fake playfulness when you’re not in the mood.
You just need a better way to handle the hard moments — one that brings more connection, more laughter, and less pressure.
This course shows you how — with simple, playful strategies broken down for real-life moments.
*Course and community access is instant.
Your enrollment includes lifetime access to everything now and anything added later.
Frequently asked questions
Don't see your question below? Email Mia at mia@playfulheartparenting.com and she'll get back to you ASAP!
Is there a free preview of the course?
YES! You can listen to the first full lesson for free HERE.
What age is this for, realistically?
Most of the stories and examples you'll hear involve kids ages 2–10, since the playful strategies are especially effective for that stage. That said, the mindset shifts — and many of the strategies themselves — can be adapted for kids of any age!
What's included in the private community?
Think of this as the private Facebook group for Activate Play Mode course participants... except OFF of Facebook! 😉
Here we have a "Playful Ideas Vault" - a growing list of possible solutions to different challenges, using the APM strategies, organized by topic (i.e. toothbrushing, transitions, etc.).
I also share easy little weekly play invitations to help keep the spirit of playfulness alive for those who like to have a little nudge.
Above all, we're here to connect, reflect, and help each other brainstorm playful ideas in a safe space with other parents who have gone through this course and have the shared value of wanting to incorporate more playfulness into their parenting journey.
We share wins and struggles and cheer each other on.
We'd love to have you join us!
Life feels too chaotic and busy for this. How do I decide if the time is right?
I totally get it — this season can feel ridiculously full and chaotic. But here’s the thing I really believe: it’s going by too FAST to afford not to enjoy each other.
If we wait until life feels less busy or overwhelming, we’ll be waiting forever… and we’ll miss the magic happening right now.
This is why I created Activate Play Mode to fit into real-life parenting and help you start enjoying it right away — not to add more pressure.
The course is yours for life (along with all future bonus lessons), and you can listen to it like a podcast, right on your favorite podcast app. No logging in, no sitting down to watch videos — just listen while driving, folding laundry, walking the dog, or hiding in the closet.
You can jump around, listen out of order, and pick what feels most helpful in the moment.
If life feels extra stressful, this is actually the kind of levity, laughter, and connection that helps you breathe again.
You don’t have to do it all at once. Just starting is a HUGE win.
How does this pricing compare to other parenting programs?
Most parenting courses range from $200 to $500 (or more). Activate Play Mode is intentionally priced lower because I want it to be accessible — without sacrificing depth, creativity, or real-life impact.
For $99, you get lifetime access to the full course plus all future updates and intermittent bonus lessons at no extra cost.
👉 You'll also be granted FREE access to our private community membership, which includes:
A growing, searchable database of playful solutions for real-life parenting challenges
Weekly check-ins, community conversations, and direct access to Mia
Most memberships that offer ongoing access to the course creator and resources like this cost $20–40/month or more. Communities like this are rarely included with course purchase. I made this decision because my ultimate goal is to connect more parents around the world so that they can support each other in this endeavor to be more playful.
I’ve kept this affordable because there is so much power in community; we weren't meant to do this alone.
That said, if you are struggling financially but feel this course would make your life better, I don't want money to be an obstacle.
Please reach out to me directly at mia@playfulheartparenting.com and we will figure it out together!! 💞