How are we gonna teach them to be responsible if we make things fun?

Recently I shared one of our favorite ways to get in pajamas...

I say, "Who wants to do an Abra-pajama?" and then the kids pose while I film them saying "Abra-pa..." in their normal clothes - then I pause the video - then they rush to get in PJs - then I resume the video once they're back in their original pose and they say "-JAMA!" And it's like a magic trick! (aka a "transition video")

​(here's the video if you want a little more explanation!)​

Lotttts of parents tried this with their kids and loved it, which made me so happy!

But I did get a few comments that brought up something worth talking about...

Comments like this:

​

Let's talk about it.

Here's what I wanna say about this:

Playfulness and responsibility are not opposites.

(and playfulness is a way of connecting, which is very different from the transactional nature of bribery).

Adults make tasks more enjoyable all the time, right?

We listen to music while cleaning, call a friend while walking, put on a podcast while folding laundry... some of us (👋🏼) even like making time lapse videos when tidying up to see the satisfying transition or puting on a timer to challenge ourselves to put the dishes away in three minutes!

The task still gets done. We're just removing some of the "BLAH" feeling from it!

Same goes for kids.

I'm not trying to raise kids who need everything to be made fun.

I'm raising kids who know that responsibility and joy can coexist.

Getting dressed, brushing teeth, cleaning up, following through... those things don't always need to be paired with stress and a power struggle.

Life is gonna give them plenty of opportunities to practice hard things, and I'm certainly teaching my kids the reasons behind why we do what we do as well.

But the truth is none of us need more seriousness.

All of us need more joy.

And sometimes that joy comes from pretending the pajamas are magical.

My invitation for you this week:

Take a moment to wonder: What did I learn growing up about responsibility and fun?

Is there any part of that story that could soften a little?

Cheering you on always,

Mia 💞

P.S. I made a FREE Father's Day Fun pack with silly little mini-games to celebrate Dad! It's like a Dad-themed version of some of my favorite games from my Silly Moments Bundle. Grab it HERE!

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