I was so proud of my stepdaughter for doing this weird thing

Yesterday while I was on a call upstairs, my stepdaughter (10) ran up and said, “Mia, look! My nose changed”

She was grinning, holding up a wrinkly piece of skin-colored clay that she’d shaped into a fake, pointy witch-looking nose.

“Yes!! Put a wart on that thing, poke two holes in the side, and throw it in the oven. I’ll add string to it for you so you can wear it!” I said excitedly.

She was thrilled.

Several hours later, we put the finishing touches on her freshly baked witch nose and were cracking up, taking turns wearing it

(jump scare pic of me below for proof):

yikes

Even my toddler got in on it, grasping for it with her favorite phrase, “I need it!”

When I reflected on this later on while lying in bed, I realized why this made me SO happy she’d done this.

She’s at an age where kids start to worry more about what they look like and how they’re perceived. She’s got three teenage sisters who are on social media. Sometimes I worry she’ll lose her childlike playful spark, that willingness to be weird and goofy in exchange for appearing “cool.”

But I think I’m projecting that on her.

Because I did.

Middle school was rough. I was introverted as can be (believe it or not, I still kind of am in many social settings). Didn’t have many friends and felt very embarrassed of my “weirdness” unless I was home being silly with my family.

This witch nose moment snapped me back into reality: she IS still a kid. She is not afraid of being weird or silly.

And even when she inevitably feels some pressure to be “cool” or hide her silliness in public…

She’ll always know it’s safe to be her whole self here in our home.

My invitation for you this week (a little deeper than my usual ones):

Reflect on your own childhood. Was there a time you can remember being embarrassed of your silly side?

I wonder what it would feel like to speak to that little you inside and let them know that that part is safe to come out now.

Cheering you on always,

Mia 💞

More from Playful Heart Parenting:

Want a little help putting playfulness into practice?

The Playful Heart Collection brings all of my favorite tools together in one place — including Activate Play Mode, FAMPROV family improv games, and the Silly Moments Bundle — with thousands of simple ideas to help you laugh more, connect more, and enjoy everyday life with your kids.

Explore the Playful Heart Collection →