“Play shapes our brain, helps us foster empathy, helps us navigate complex social groups, and is at the core of creativity and innovation.” -Dr. Stuart Brown
Have you watched your children play recently? Have you watched how absolutely content they are when they are playing, just for the sake of playing? Now, when was that last time you played?
I remember, before I had Ford, I used to look at all the moms with their kids and think to myself, “How fulfilling can it really be to go to the park every day with your kids? That would get boring so fast!”
Hahahahahahahaha
Okay well, I was recently thinking about Ford’s development and how he thrives in the environment of “play” but he doesn’t really thrive in my multitasking/errand running environment. And THEN I read the chapter on “play” in The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown and I had quite the epiphany! Adults need “play” time as well, and what’s better than having the play time together? In that chapter, “play” is described as an activity that is done for fun, just for the sake of having fun.
No agenda, no productivity, no to-do list.
I will be the first to tell you that this is hard for me, but Ford is teaching me how to do this and he is a great teacher. Since moving to Delaware, my little family has decided that Sundays are now family play days. Yesterday, we spent the entire day on the beach, just playing. We had Ford in mind when we made this decision, but truly, we are benefiting ourselves by choosing to spend our time this way.
Brené Brown goes on to say, “If we want to live a wholehearted life, we have to become intentional about cultivating sleep and play, and about letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth.”
Ford is learning things so quickly; he picks up on everything said and unsaid. In a world where self-worth is often tied to money or productivity, I want him to grow up with intentionality, and I also want him to grow in an environment where play is not only acceptable, but also encouraged.
Coast x Coast Motherhood 