What does it mean to be playful? Why is it important? Why does it matter?
Well, here’s the thing. You don’t have to be playful. If you don’t want to be playful, you don’t need to be playful. But when you add a little bit of being playful into your life, and especially into your parenting world, you will find that your children are a little bit more compliant and the overall mood is happier.
Yes, you read that correctly, being playful can add more compliance to your child’s reactions.
Why does being playful have such an impact?? They’re having fun!
Now, does this mean that you need to sit down and play with your child all day long? No, it doesn’t.
There’s a difference between being playful and playing.
Playing is when you’re physically getting down and playing with toys, playing a game, and/or doing crafts.
Playful is when you are being a little silly, being a little goofy, you make something you want your child to do into a game, and/or something fun for your child to do.
Children between the ages of two and about eight often respond really well to playfulness.
Older children may roll their eyes but they like it too. I am still playful at times with our 10-year-old. There is a time and a place for it. Heck, there is even a place for it with our 27-year-old.
Okay. So how are you playful? What do you do?
There are so many things you can do! Here is a list of some simple things I do:
Use a silly voice
Run and hide from your child, then pop out
Peek-a-boo
Make silly faces
Making silly noises
Hop like a bunny or walk like a bear
Drop a little joke
Here is a great example of being playful in action:
When our youngest comes out of the school and he is super serious looking or has that look of defeat on his face, I will turn and run away. 🙂
He then starts running after me. He will ask what I am doing and I will tell him “I am running away from you”! By this time, he’s laughing a little bit, he’s able to take life less seriously. And then we can actually talk about what’s going on.
Another example is when our youngest was little (now I would not be able to move) I would ask him if he wants to use his feet or my feet to get to the bathroom. He usually choose my feet and then he would put his feet on mine. Then I would hold his hands and walk to the bathroom with his feet on top of mine.
Let’s face it there are many adults that can benefit from being a little playful. Sometimes it can be a lot of work for us, though. So take it with a grain of salt and do what you can.
There’s a time and a place to be playful. There will be times when you need to be serious.
Embrace being playful and bring a few extra laughs into your day!
Be the Parent You Want to Be,
Brenda
**Did you know that Parenting Support from Brenda McSween at Parenting Foundations is just a few clicks away? Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, I answer questions from parents via my membership website. Click here to learn more. Not interested in the membership, you can book a Mini Consult (1-hour call and 2 follow-up emails). Looking forward to speaking with you soon.
