7 Tips To Becoming A More Playful Mom
We’ve all felt it before… that moment when we realize we have spent most of our day telling the kids to ‘stop’ or ‘slow down’ or ‘be careful’ and we feel less ‘fun’ and more ‘fun police’.
I know, you weren’t always like this. We all swore we would be a fun and playful mom, not quite like the one we find ourselves being now. But it’s easy to see how this happens.
As a mom, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day grind. Things need to be done, messes need to be cleaned, dinners need to be cooked, all the while hoping we avoid a trip to the Emergency Room because our toddler has decided to become Mr-Jump-Off-Everything.
It’s a lot.
But… it doesn’t mean we can’t embrace play and become a more playful mom… in our own way.
Playing with your kids is important not only for their development, but for your own sanity as well. Playing is FUN! There’s a reason why kids are always laughing and happy and adults are… well… boring!
Here are some tips to becoming a more playful mom:
1 – Get Down On Their Level
One of the best ways to bond with your kids is to get down on their level and play with them.
This literally means getting on the floor, playing where they play, and getting involved in their imaginative games and activities.
If you’re not sure how to get started, just watch and learn. Pretty soon, you’ll be surprised at how much fun you’re having.
When was the last time you played with Legos, or painted a picture, or colored in, or finished a puzzle? Or even…. built a blanket fort?
And as an added bonus, you’ll be creating precious memories that will last a lifetime.
This is probably the most important things you can do to embrace fun.
When we are down on their level, we are showing them that we are interested in what they are doing and that we want to play with them. This simple act can mean the world to a child.
2 – Be Silly
Being a mom can be serious business. From keeping everyone fed and clothed to getting everyone out the door on time, there is always something that needs to be done. BUT… this doesn’t mean you need to be serious all the time.
It is important to remember that playtime is just as important as work time.
When you take a break to play with your kids, it not only allows you to let off some steam, but it also helps you to bond with your children and create lasting memories.
Be goofy, make funny faces, dance around like a fool.. whatever. you need to do to get yourself into silly mode.
Your kids will love it and so will you!
If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and remember that it is perfectly okay to embrace your inner child every once in a while.
After all, even moms need to have some fun.
3 – Get Outside
There is something about being outdoors that just makes everything more fun.
Whether you are playing tag, flying a kite, or going for a nature walk, being outside is a great way to embrace your playful side.
Plus, it’s a great way to get some fresh air and Vitamin D.
Spend an afternoon outdoors, whether it’s in your backyard or at a park, and do things with your kids that you loved doing when you were young.
Teach them how to jump rope, draw hopscotch squares, play marbles, or even play hide and seek with them. Connect with your inner child and allow her to feel the joy of play again.
4 – Try Something New
While teaching your kids about all the games we played when we were young can be fun, it can also be fun to allow your kids to teach YOU some of their games.
While this can be uncomfortable, seeing your kids light up with excitement as they teach you something new is absolutely worth it.
Plus, you might even find yourself enjoying their games more than you thought you would!
Alternatively, you can choose to learn something new together! If there’s something you’ve wanted to learn how to do like rollerskate, or learn how to draw, or even learn the latest TikTok dance trend, you can do it together and have fun in the process.
5 – Put Away The Technology
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in technology. With our phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs, it’s hard to resist the urge to just sit back and zone out. And there are times when this is absolutely necessary, and very much welcomed.
But when we do this all the time, and when we do this instead of making time to play, we are missing out on so much. We are missing out on the laughter of our children, the simplicity of just playing, and the opportunity to create lasting memories.
So, put away the technology, even if it’s just for a few hours, and allow yourself to truly engage in playtime with your kids. You’ll be glad you did.
6 – Be Creative
One of the best things about being a parent is that you get to be creative right along with your kids.
Whether you are building a fort, painting a picture, or creating a new game to play, being creative is a great way to embrace your inner child.
You could even buy a big canvas, grab some paints, and get all artistic and creative throwing paint at a canvas, painting pictures… anything you want.
And it’s also a great way to bond with your children and to create something that you can all look back on and laugh about for years to come.
7 – Be Flexible
When you are a parent, it’s important to be flexible. Things will come up that you didn’t plan for, and there will be times when you have to change your plans on the fly.
And while this can be frustrating at times, it’s also an opportunity to show your kids that you are flexible and that you can roll with the punches.
Kids watch what we do and model their behavior from ours. Demonstrate to them that yes, it’s okay to feel frustrated, but we also have control over our actions.
Show them that it’s okay to put something aside that isn’t working, and to mix it up and go play instead. Let them experience how a change in scenery and pace can help change their mindset and allow them to approach problems with a new viewpoint (and remind ourselves of this too).
So, go with the flow, be flexible, and allow yourself to just go with the flow when things don’t go as planned. You might be surprised at how much fun you have in the process.
Parenting is hard work, there’s no doubt about it. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.
And one of the best parts of parenting is being able to play with your kids. It’s a great way to bond with them, to create lasting memories, and to just have some good old-fashioned fun.
So, make time for play. It’s good for you, it’s good for your kids, and it’s good for your relationship. And who knows, you might even find that you enjoy it more than you thought you would.
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