Welcome to our first "Social Saturdays" episode on the "No Problem Parenting Podcast.
"What are the benefits of parent/child play, and how can you make it awesome for kids of all ages and for you the parent?"
A study in the Journal of Marriage and Family revealed that shared leisure activities, including play, are linked to greater satisfaction in family relationships. So, there's more to play than just about keeping kids busy or entertained.
Play Builds Curiosity, Trust, and Connection – If you are finding yourself yelling all the time, play is a great way to stop feeding the problems in your home with anger and frustration and setting the tone in your home to be more fun and joyful. Kids don’t want you to yell, but if seeing you yell is the only excitement or animation they get from you, you might notice they are pushing your buttons to gain your attention even if it is negative attention.
You are the leader of your home and can shift the tone in your home and today I’m going to give you some ideas for how to do that with infants to teens.
When you actively engage in play with your children, whether it's peek-a-boo, building LEGO towers, constructing forts, or even pretending to be superheroes, you create a foundation of curiosity, trust, and connection that lasts a lifetime.
Check out my conversation with Curt Jordan from Kong Academy in EP 50. Curt is one of the authors in our first book, NPP Raising your kiddos with more confidence and less fear. His chapter is titled Let Kids Play Their Way and I’ve included a link in the show notes for more ideas on how a family can beat the winter blues. Lots of fun adventure ideas that you can access right from your home! Have the Winter Blues? Check out Kong Academys
How a Family Can Beat the Winter Blues Adventures HERE
Play isn't just for the kiddos; it's a fantastic stress-buster for parents too. Even just 15 minutes of imaginative play can be a mini-vacation from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Play is an opportunity to let your guard down, be silly with your kids, no matter their age. Even teens can't resist a good laugh when mom or dad are being silly
Let’s be intentional about playing with our kids. What if you looked forward to playtime with your kids as much as you look forward to hanging out with friends? Playtime, even with teens doesn't have to always mean going somewhere. There are plenty of activities you can do right at home.
Make playtime a non-negotiable in your schedule. It can become an anticipated moment of joy in your routine. Again, Even if it's just 15 minutes, set your timer, fully engage with your kids during that time, and watch the magic unfold.
Glenn Lundy shared in EP 172 why we should Stop spending time with our family and invest the time instead.
Here are three tips to keep in mind:
1. Be Present and Engaged: Put away distractions and go all in, in the playtime experience with your child. Being present shows your child that you value and enjoy the time spent together.
2. Follow Their Lead: Allow your child to take the lead in play. Follow their interests and cues, even if it means stepping into their imaginative world. This encourages their creativity and strengthens the bond and connection between you and your child. Ask open-ended questions to learn more about their ideas and check your ego at the door. Playtime is not about knowing more than your child, do your best to let your child know more than you so respond with questions like “I wonder if…..” instead of telling them why something they are doing won’t work.
3. Quality Over Quantity: It's not about the duration of playtime; it's about the quality of interaction. Even if you have limited time, make those moments count. Choose activities that your child is interested in, and focus on creating positive, memorable experiences. Quality playtime even if rare, leaves a lasting impact on your relationship on your child. The more opportunity you have to play with your child, the more you invest in time with your child, the less problems you will encounter as they grow.
Listen in today as I share some playtime examples for children of different age groups.
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EP 113 No-Problem Parenting 2022 Wrap Up; Become a Confident Leader for your kids in 2023!
EP 112 How to Raise Intuitive Eaters and Body Positive Kids with Special Guest Erin Gonzalez
EP 111 Teen Survival Kit; No matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets, you’ll always be able to make it through, with Special Guest Elliot Kallen
EP 110 Hurt People, Hurt People; Bully Proofing Schools will heal the planet, with Special Guest Peter Burkin
EP 109 Parents Who Have More Fun - Raise Fun to Be Around Kids, with Special Guest Julie Jones
Title: EP 108 Pip and Charley Teach Social Emotional Learning with Special Guest, Author Katy Steinbach
EP 107 3 Steps to Creating a Thriving Relationship; Become a Power Couple with Special Guest Railey Molinario
EP 106 The Four Pillars for Parents and Teens to Discover Your Purpose & Passion with Special Guest Buddy Thorton
EP. 105 Holistic Health; Get your kids eating veggies and keep up their immunity with Special Guest Dr. Christy Matusiak
EP. 104 Pre & Postpartum Chiropractic Care for Momma & Baby with Special Guest Dr. Sara Cuperus
EP 103 Courageous Conversations with Your Teen; Get past one-word responses with Special Guest Elizabeth Bennett
EP. 102 The Fearless Factor; Understanding your fear & taking courageous action with Special Guest Jacqueline Wales
EP. 101 Raising a Child on the Autism Spectrum; Moms Mindset Matters with Special Guest Diane Rambo
EP 100! Become a No-Problem Parent Today
EP 99 Wildlife Inspired Awe; Benefits of Exposing Kids to the Natural World with Special Guest Jonathan Hicks
EP 98 Myths that Keep Your Kids in College Debt; Graduate Debt Free with Special Guest Denise Thomas
EP. 97 Capture the Journey; Sharing family stories & create a legacy for your family with Special Guest Ruthanne Warnick
EP. 96 How to Talk About & Teach Your Kids About Money, with special guest Chella Diaz
EP 95 Mutual Respect Grows Confident Kids; The Homeschool Garden Way, with Special Guest Erica Orosco Cruz
EP 94 Find Your Like Minded Walking Partner with ZNEEX and Special Guest Laura Wellington
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