One evening during a family vacation while I was cooking dinner, my kids were out playing on the beach. One of them yelled up at me \u2013 \u201cCome play, Mom!\u201d<\/p>\n
My first instinct was to say I was too busy. But something held me back, some sense of time passing too quickly made me pause and say:<\/p>\n
\u201cPlay what?\u201d
\n\u201cKelpball!\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course. Kelpball, it turns out, is a load of fun.<\/p>\n
Our kids are more anxious than ever. As parents, we also feel overwhelmed by schedules and carpools. I hear from many parents that they crave a different way of raising kids \u2013 one with more free time, more family connection, and more \u2026 fun. One that feels old-fashioned and like more relaxed days of the past, filled with pick-up ball games at the park down the street.<\/p>\n
A growing body of research shows that play has many benefits for children \u2013 it reduces stress, and increases their ability to learn, socialize, and connect with family and peers. Having fun also increases their physical activity.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0American Academy of Pediatrics\u00a0has found that play also benefits parents, with increased joy, rejuvenation, and an improved ability to understand and communicate with their children. That\u2019s right, playing more helps us connect with our kids while providing a calm happiness to\u00a0parents.<\/p>\n
Producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes described this beautifully in her book\u00a0Year of Yes<\/em>. One night when she was dressed elegantly and heading out the door to give a presentation to a waiting crowd, one of her children stopped her and asked to play. She almost walked away in a hurry to get to the show. Instead, she stopped, turned, and \u2013 listening to a little voice in her head \u2013 took off her heels, hiked up her ball gown, sat on the floor, and \u2026 played. The sense of joy she felt motivated her to always say \u201cYes!\u201d when asked to play.<\/p>\n As your kids get older, listen as often as possible to that voice saying they won\u2019t be young for long. If your kids ask to play or read, drop whatever is on your to-do list. I have learned that tweens and teens may not ask directly \u2013 you\u2019ll have to look for more subtle clues. Are they standing around the kitchen? Do they come and sit nearby? These are their rare requests to \u201cplay\u201d or connect.<\/p>\n Rarer even than these requests are pick-up games of ball. Who just\u00a0plays\u00a0ball these days? (Rarer still: pick-up games of kelpball on the beach at sunset!). Savor them and \u2013 be sure to take a quick photo on your way to play!<\/p>\n Find more resources for parents<\/p>\n