When did you grow up?
When did you stop playing?
When did fun become something you searched for rather than experienced?
Can you recall the exact moment?
There was a time when we played without hesitation, and fun was simply a part of our daily lives. It wasn’t something we thought about, talked about, planned, or scheduled. It happened naturally and effortlessly; it was integral to who we were. So, when did you stop being your authentic self?
When I talk to parents who are busy with life, overwhelmed by stress, and feeling guilty about their children’s screen time, I first remind them that they are doing their best. Parenting during these unprecedented times, often in an environment that doesn’t provide support, is a challenging task. The next question I ask is, “Why do you feel guilty?” I want every parent reading this to reflect on that question, because understanding the “why” is essential.
Five of Tanyell’s 12 Jellybeans enjoy play after a challenging day of losing their furry friend. (Photo by Tanyell Cole)
If you feel guilty because society suggests your child is spending too much time on screens, or you read another article criticizing you, or you see someone’s Instagram post declaring they don’t allow screens, then take a moment to breathe. This is not another article shaming you for screen time. In fact, I am going to tell you that screens can actually enhance the play experience when we use them as tools rather than distractions. If your guilt is from feeling unfulfilled, the desire for more playtime with your child, or wanting to deepen your connection with your child, keep reading, because we are going to discuss how to strengthen these areas without the added stress and pressure.
Play isn’t just an activity; it’s a way of life. It doesn’t need to be scheduled or squeezed into your daily routine; it’s a part of who we are. When applying this idea to our kids, remove the notion that play needs to be premeditated and planned. When we view our children as extensions of ourselves rather than additions, it lightens our burden as parents.
Jumpin’ Jellybeans provides a place for parents to engage in play with their toddlers. (Photo by TGP Branding)
For busy parents feeling overwhelmed, how can you create play in your everyday life and extend that playfulness to your children? With ease. Think about how play can naturally flow into our daily routines.
Here are a few easy ideas to get your creativity and play juices flowing:
Turn dinnertime into playtime. Make a fun recipe together, allowing them to chop vegetables, or letting them mix flour and water to create playdough. Incorporate screens as tools to enhance your experience by following a favorite recipe together — have your child call out the steps to you, or record a playful cooking video.
Turn working from home into playtime. Create a playful task for your child, like shredding papers or taking notes for you. As a child, one of my favorite games was “work.” My grandmother would give me her expired checkbooks, and I’d write checks and pay bills for fun. Imagine that! You can incorporate screens by letting them type the notes on a computer — next to you at their own desk — or do “research” for a project you are working on and report their findings after your meeting. Give them that old checkbook rotting away in your desk and have them “pay” bills for you while you work.
Transform a chore like cleaning the house into a hide-and-seek game. Have your child take an item that needs to be put away and ask them to find its proper place. Then, you “hide” in the bathroom to start cleaning, while they search for you, or vice versa. Have them put the item away and hide, while you finish cleaning the tub, then go on a hunt for them. Putting things away as you playfully yell, “where is Timmy, I can’t find him anywhere!” This engages them in cleaning, gives you time to tackle tasks, and incorporates play. Want to include screens? Have your child take pictures of everything out of place in each room, and then take “after” photos of everything put away. Create a fun time-lapse video of ya’ll cleaning the house together and watch it later for lots of laughs.
Tanyell Cole, co-founder and CEO of Jumpin’ Jellybeans, makes sure parents enjoy hot coffee during their visit. (Photo by JB)
Turn grocery shopping into a game. Play a game of I Spy and let your child mark items off the grocery list. If they are old enough, divide the list and race to see who can shop the fastest. Incorporate screens by allowing your child to film a “day in the life” from their POV (point of view) while grocery shopping. These are some of my favorite videos of my kids seeing the world through their eyes.
Life can be stressful and overwhelming, but remember, playing is fun and easy. Parenting is a game, and so is adulting. Screens are not inherently bad; they are tools that can enhance play and make life easier. Instead of building a negative connotation around them, use play as a way to teach kids how to use them appropriately, creatively, and moderately. The problem arises when we stop playing and having fun altogether.
Let’s reinvigorate the joy of play in our lives and the lives of our children.
Jumpin’ Jellybeans believes dress-up is the gateway to unlocking dreams — a superhero cape makes a child instantly become unstoppable. (Photo by Tanyell Cole)
Tanyell is the co-founder of Jumpin’ Jellybeans, a boutique indoor play space with locations in Tennessee and Mississippi. She is a wife, mother of 12, and has been a trusted voice for parents nationwide looking for grounded, practical, and emotionally attuned advice on raising young kids in today’s overstimulating world. To learn more about Jumpin’ Jellybeans or healthy ways to engage as a family, visit jumpinjellybeans.com.