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Editor's note: This article was sent to us by Jennifer Altrogge - a mother, do-it-yourselfer and a blogger. She blogs on http://becauseimwrite.com/
When my kids were small and I stayed home with them, my days followed a pretty simple pattern. It looked something like this:
Sure there were occasional variations but it mostly looked like that. You'll notice that there's one thing that appears twice on that list, and sometimes that thing appeared more than twice. Play time.
[pullquote]And somehow in midst of the added busyness, play time is simply gone.[/pullquote]
Now, my kids are older, all in elementary school. They're all in school. I work. There's homework and gymnastics and other such things that fill our time. And somehow in midst of the added busyness, play time is simply gone.
It occurred to me recently that this might not be the best thing. With the return of some beautiful spring weather, I found my little brood outside, hitting balls into our beautiful flowering magnolia with their little plastic bats, sliding down the slide, hanging upside down from the rings, chasing each other in circles, etc.
[pullquote]I sat and watched them. They played. Simplicity had returned, if only for a moment.[/pullquote]
In that moment, I literally felt the tension slowly leaving my body, a sure signal that this is something needed. I sat and watched them. They played. Simplicity had returned, if only for a moment. Studies show that free play is vastly important for our children's social, emotional and physical development. They need it to grow. It improves their well-being all-around. And yet it very quickly disappears as life grows increasingly busy.
[pullquote]I think one of the reasons this happens is that we, their parents, have forgotten about free play.[/pullquote]
I think one of the reasons this happens is that we, their parents, have forgotten about free play. Obviously I don't mean we should be outside climbing trees and wrestling (that doesn't sound fun, or wise, at my age). Rather, we should ask if there's any room for life's small enjoyments.
[pullquote]When's the last time you sat for 20 minutes and read a book?[/pullquote]
When's the last time you sat for 20 minutes and read a book? Or drank a cup of coffee without simultaneously scanning through your email and packing lunchboxes? When did you last sit with a friend and talk and laugh? Or go for a run or do an hour of yoga?
As much as our children need free play for their healthy development, we "free play" for our continued health and sanity. Conversely, if we are in the habit of making room for these sorts of things, we both display it for our children and remember to make room for it in their lives.
Of course, if you're like me, you immediately think I DON'T HAVE ANY TIME FOR THAT STUFF. Obviously that's part of the problem to begin with. How do we get past it?
[pullquote]Don't start big[/pullquote]
Here's what I suggest. Don't start big. Ask yourself this question: where are 20 minutes, one day a week, that I can fill with something restful and fun? Don't try add this sort of thing every day for an hour, setting yourself up for failure. But have that hour a day as your end goal.
[pullquote]Ask yourself what you enjoy[/pullquote]
Next, ask yourself what you enjoy. Everyone is different, and while your friend might love yoga, you might love curling up with a good book. Choose something you can do for those 20 minutes that will be a stress release for you.
[pullquote]Put your phone in a drawer.[/pullquote]
Finally, get rid of distractions. Put your phone in a drawer. Put the kids in front of a movie (you can do it!). Do what you need to do to have that little bit of free play for yourself.
Once you're regularly having that time, it will happen for the rest of your family as well. Life is stressful and busy, but too short to be only those two things. Don't spend the rest of your life in a whirlwind of activity without ever slowing down to simply enjoy the small pleasures around you. Make time for play time.
Image credits: Jennifer
