This morning I watched a little bird from my bedroom window. The bird was all by itself, sitting in the hundred-year-old oak tree in our backyard.
As I watched it, it taught me something really important about being a parent–and being a human–that is backed by research that I’ve been reading.
I made a 3-minute video about what I learned.
If a bird takes time out of its daily survival tasks to play, then play must be very important.
And I’d love to hear from you… What do YOU do for play?
Do you play an instrument?
Or play a game?
Or do artwork?
Or sports?
Some of my favorite playful things to do are: playing guitar and singing, playing pickleball, or a board game.
What activity brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
I will read and respond to each comment below!
After reading the blog today, do you want more parenting support from me and meet similar parents?
You and I can personally talk in there if you’re struggling to figure out how to talk to your child.
I’m the same way. I often have to pay for something in order to do it (my gym membership for example). But money is an energetic way of giving value to something, so it makes sense to me! Good luck with the piano!
That sounds lovely! I’ve been playing a lot of pickle ball recently (kinda like tennis!).
That’s so sweet that your youngest wanted to teach you. We can learn so much from our kids! Do you find moments of joy or flow in sports, sex, art, hunting or fishing? I think those can definitely be play for adults.
So true. If we wait until we accomplish all our goals there is never time for playing. Play has to happen pro-actively!!
I love guitar and singing too!! (and yes, there’s no end to the weeds!)
I enjoy photography (snapping shots of nature as I walk on trails or along my garden. I also like to write poetry and doodle or sketch.
That’s lovely to write poetry and do art. I love nature walks too!
My “playtime” is doing jigsaw puzzles. My family knows it is my “me” time and I need that to unplug and just do something fun for myself.
I too find puzzles very satisfying!
I love movement. I run, do yoga, lift weights, etc., but around day 15 of my monthly cycle, all of the things I love feel like work, so I put on fun music and just go to the trail. Sometimes, I tap into my basketball training from my school years and shuffle down the trail for as long as it feels comfortable in my body. Other times, I skip, jump, sprint, make ridiculous attempts at handstands and cartwheels. I even twirl and dance. I look like a complete lunatic, but it doesn’t matter. I finish with a smile and boosted mood. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about play and I look forward to checking out that book!
When I think no one is watching, I enjoy movement and dancing too!
For myself, I love doing jigsaw puzzles and colouring. With my kids, I really enjoy playing board games/card games. I will admit though, I rarely do the things for myself because as you mentioned in your video, the guilt often consumes me. This is something I’m trying to work on. The video you made is a great reminder of why this is important and an inspiration to make play a priority for both myself and my children. Thank you 🙂.
I tried to post before but it didn’t seem to work. I apologize if I’ve left two separate comments!
I enjoy reading this kind of research because it gives me permission to play without the guilt (at least sometimes).
For myself, I love to do jigsaw puzzles and colour. With my kids, I really enjoy board games/card games. I will admit though, the things I enjoy to do for myself rarely happen because as you mentioned in your video, the guilt often consumes me. This is something I’m trying to work on :). Videos such as the one you just made are great reminders and inspiration to do so. Thank you!
I really like board games and card games. Jason and I will play cards during lunch. And sometimes we play a family board game during dinner!
I like to explore in the woods, though now that they’re bare and blanketed in snow I’m playing by taking some super playful classes (like trapeze and partner acrobatics).
That sounds awesome! I’ve been wanting to check out silks and acro-yoga.
Too little time, too much to do… I wish I’d find something I could play with that is enjoyable and at the same time could help me earn more time and money hahahah :D
I wonder what the bird gets from his/her play aside from just enjoying… maybe there’s something about it we could check further :D What kind of bird was it?
Yes, I think that’s the key… figuring out something, no matter how small, that can fit into our schedules. If the research is true, play is an important part of our survival. Maybe the creativity and innovation actually helps us be more productive in our work?
And gosh, I don’t know what kind of bird it was… but the book has lots of really fun examples of animals playing.
Yes! I do need to play more. Not good at it! And if I played with my kids more could be win win win! Good for me good for them good for the relationship. I used to feel like working out was play but lately it’s been drudgery. I like to read a lot but I don’t think that counts. Having sex with my husband is probably the only playtime in my life right now! Need to get more!
Bringing play into parenting is great. I think for me reading can also be play, even if it’s non-ficiton, I can play in my mind thinking about things that I’m reading about. And sex is play too, for sure!!
I colour Mandalas 😘😍
That’s great! I enjoy art also.