Play with Your Kids, with Gusto

Today I did something that I rarely take the time to do. I played with my kids. I mean really played with them. Sure, I will often sit down to play a board game. Or I will half-heartedly pretend with them while I work around the house or get ready in the morning. But, today.

Today I was working on my computer when Emerald and Sawyer approached me with handcuffs and weapons of all kinds. They informed me that I had robbed the grocery store, and then they cuffed me a carted me off to jail. Normally I might’ve laughed and told them to uncuff me, that I have work to do. I don’t know why, but today I didn’t. I endured their interrogation while I loudly proclaimed my innocence. Obviously, I had been framed. But, they wouldn’t hear of it. Then, while they were “sleeping,” I escaped from the jail.

I ran to the other end of the house and hid under the covers of my bed. When they found me and tried to cuff me again, I tickled them mercilessly and ran for the other end of the house. I really can’t remember the last time I fully committed to my part when playing with those funny little kids, but I realized today that I have been missing out.

The most fun thing about it was the fact that they were obviously thrilled out of their minds that I was playing with gusto.

I am a firm believer that it’s okay to tell the kids to go and play. It’s okay–good and healthy, even–to force them to figure out how to play by themselves and with their siblings. But, sometimes, mamas, more regularly than we may think, we need to say yes and be a truly awesome playmate for our kids. The work will wait. The kids won’t be around forever.

I played for maybe fifteen minutes and then announced that dinner needed fixing. They were fine with that. The house still got cleaned. Supper made it on the table. And, I still got to sit here and write to you. I know we all have too much to do, but sometimes we’ve got to forget all that stuff and really play with our kids, with gusto. No guilt trip here. Just a reminder that it’s more fun than you think. Go for it, and see if you don’t end up grinning from ear to ear. Blessings as you play and work and balance more than is humanly possible. You are amazing.