Quick, honest reflections on parenting, playfulness, and finding more joy in everyday family life, each with one simple idea to try. Browse the latest reads below, and subscribe to never miss one in your inbox each Tuesday.
What happens when you weren’t playful, patient, or particularly pleasant—and your family needs to reconnect? A ridiculous improv game reminded me that playfulness doesn’t have to prevent every hard moment. Sometimes, it helps us find our way back to each other afterward.
When my creative brain was completely fried, my son’s dinosaur obsession reminded me of something simple: we don’t have to invent brand-new ways to connect. Sometimes we can just step into whatever our kids already love.
When my 10-year-old was feeling anxious about school, I tried a simple game that gave us a playful way to connect, talk about what she was feeling, and make the anxiety feel a little lighter.
One tiny bit of pretend play completely shifted the mood in our house after a grumpy morning. No setup, supplies, or elaborate game—just letting go of my pride, pretending I was dreaming and following where the silliness took us.
Our rare date night gave me an unexpected reminder that playfulness isn't just something we use with our kids. Sometimes being ridiculous together is exactly what grown-ups need, too.
When telling two kids to stop spitting wasn't getting us anywhere, I tried something different. A real-life example of how playfulness can interrupt unwanted behavior without turning the moment into a power struggle.
A delayed flight with kids could have been a recipe for total chaos. Instead, we pulled out a few simple, no-prep games that helped us pass the time, laugh together, and make waiting a whole lot more fun.
Playful parenting doesn't always go according to plan. Sometimes you try to create a fun family moment and end up getting hit in the face with a Rubik's Cube. Here's what happened—and why the imperfect moments still count.
Does making everyday tasks fun keep kids from learning responsibility? Here’s why playfulness and responsibility aren’t opposites—and how a little joy can actually help family life run more smoothly.
My friend Jen has a weekly “inner child date”—time she intentionally sets aside to do something playful just for the joy of it. Her simple ritual made me wonder: what if grown-ups gave ourselves permission to play, too?
As kids get older, they start becoming more aware of how other people see them. One ridiculous homemade witch nose reminded me how much I want our home to always be a place where my kids feel safe being silly, weird, and completely themselves.