Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but if there was one universal truth to tuck in our back pockets, it might be this: When in doubt, play.
Most of the time when our children have a problem (whether they are a crying baby, complaining middle schooler or mopey teenager), the situation can be improved by getting creative and “shaking things up a bit.”
The cure for their woes isn’t another gadget or activity packed calendar. It’s something simpler, more powerful and always available: play, imagination and creativity—for all ages.
Have a fussy infant on your hands? Skip the complicated tricks and try making a silly face. A giggle might be just what they need. When your elementary-aged child declares that everything is “boring,” instead of stopping what you are doing to entertain them, ask them to help you solve a problem, or crank up the music for a living-room dance party.
Tween and teens need play too—though they might roll their eyes at the suggestion. While it’s tempting to let them zone out in front of a screen for hours, sometimes the best cure for that glazed-over look is a spark of creativity. Story games at the dinner table, listening to a podcast or starting a project together reminds them (and us) that play doesn’t end when childhood does.
Then there’s the universal phrase every parent knows all too well: “I’m bored.” Whether from a preschooler or teen, boredom is not the enemy—it’s a gift. Let them “be in it.”
The imaginative play, storytelling or idea to make something that comes out of sitting in the uncomfortable feeling of having nothing else to do, can transform that dull moment into something memorable.
And letting go of the feeling, that you need to constantly entertain your child, is a huge win for you too!
Parents aren’t immune to ruts either. The daily grind can leave us feeling drained and disconnected. The answer? Socialization. Thinking outside the box about how we gather with friends and other parents helps us build our village. A potluck picnic at the park with friends, an extended family hike or talking to a parent that you connect with at school pick-up can turn ordinary afternoons into something extraordinary.
So, the next time your child (or you) seems stuck, remember this simple truth: play is not just for kids. It’s the secret ingredient for joy, connection and resilience at every age.
When in doubt, play.
– Stacie Gaetz
