Comments on: 55 Ways to Be the Silly, Fun, Playful Parent You’ve Always Wanted to Be

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 19:30:37 +0000

In reply to Katelyn Fagan. Katelyn, I loved your article as I have a quality time love language kiddo and as fun loving as I am, I really struggle to fill his tank. Thank you for writing this smattering of quick wins, I need a list in my pocket! Im sure you know how to deal in your heart with these negative comments left here, just wanted to chime in quickly and say, you're doing a fantastic job, we are all learning to communicate what is really inside of us, and THANK YOU! for stepping out and using your voice rather than standing on the side lines wondering if you're ready, and being frozen in comparison of yourself to the voices already risking criticism. Go girl!

By: Steph

Steph — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 15:13:37 +0000

Awesome, helpful article 🙂
Silly commenters were being ridiculous.
Thanks for posting!

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 20:22:08 +0000

In reply to Michelle Moodispaw. Thanks Michelle! Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck being a little more silly. ;)

By: Michelle Moodispaw

Michelle Moodispaw — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 00:08:29 +0000

I am just finding this article several years later and found it fun and helpful. For those of us who didn’t grow up in a silly home being silly doesn’t come naturally and we need some guidance. I didn’t find it preachy or self-righteous at all and I was rather appalled by those who felt the need to comment rather than just moving on. You were a good sport to respond so graciously. Thanks for the article and thanks for putting yourself out there at the risk of criticism by some to help others.

By: L

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 16:52:25 +0000

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing!

By: Heidi A Taljaard

Heidi A Taljaard — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 03:06:05 +0000

Wow, I am thankful for this list! I don’t think it’s about coming across as smug but lending some of your strengths, as you said-we all have our strengths and we can all give something to others and learn something from others! This list actually made me laugh at one point-I am one of those parents who needs to be reminded to “lighten up” and as my oldest starts playschool tomorrow it’s a stark reminder that childhood passes all too quickly and we need to make the most of these days-and learning from others is one way to do that! I appreciate this and look forward to doing some silly things with my babies tomorrow! 🙂

By: Drea Hatch

Drea Hatch — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 04:51:22 +0000

This is fantastic! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all these down and share them.
I just had my third and have been really struggling to play with my kids. I am for SURE going to try some of these ideas out, and I’ll save it for future reference, too!

By: Danielle

Danielle — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 23:08:05 +0000

In reply to Kelly. Although obviously in the minority, and although I agree with the basic sentiment of this article, I also felt like the author had a smug, self-righteous attitude that left a bad taste in my mouth. Just my humble opinion.

By: playground structures

playground structures — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 09:49:13 +0000

Thanks for sharing. When kids spend more time outdoors, they get to understand their environment better.

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 05:14:04 +0000

In reply to Meg. Sorry for any sanctimonious and patronizing delivery. Totally can see how it came across that way. Ugh. I'm not really that way in person. And you make a very good point. Some kids probably don't really care about having the "fun mom" or fun ways of doing tasks. I think personalities do play a large part in how silly we naturally are, or how silly we are with a certain child. So far mine all seem to be some big old goofballs. Ha ha ha.

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 19:08:44 +0000

Good ideas and plenty to consider, if a little sanctimonious and patronising in the delivery- intended or not. Read this more for reassurance than anything, pretty sure I do this anyway. Some days it comes naturally other days I have to force the smile but hey it’s all about memories! My mum rarely played and when she did I thought something was wrong! Those memories are anxious and uneasy whereas my memories of her reading with me or teaching me important life lessons or having an adult conversation with me or making traditions special those things leave find memories. Each to their own, not all kids wanna be silly either. I have one bundle of craziness and one cautious careful and considerate child. My ball of crazy is always down for silly whereas my cautious child often prefers reading books or having a long cuddle or helping me with the chores but he wants to do them properly! If I try introducing a “new fun way” to do laundry he isn’t interested! He finds joy in completing a task like how mummy would do it! There is no list in the world that will cover everyone’s situation.

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:25:59 +0000

In reply to Erin. Absolutely Erin! It does take a lot of energy to work, take care of kids, and complete all the housework. But, the great thing about being silly and fun is that it often recharges you a little bit too, because it releases some of that stress! Good luck with this parenting thing. And have some fun. :)

By: Erin

Erin — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 10:59:31 +0000

I loved the list of ideas, thank you for taking the time to write and share them. It’s funny how you talk about your mother not playing with you, but your father being the one. That is the way it was in my house as well. Now that I am an adult with a family of my own, I realize that my mother was probably busy with housework after coming home (which was a full-time job in of itself). BUT, even though I do the bulk of the chores in my home as well, I also want to be remembered by my child as someone who played with them, so I do try to make time to play every day. With my son, with my spouse, and also alone doing things I enjoy. I do sit on the sidelines when I am tired, but I make a conscious effort to play when I can. I think the reason a lot of moms aren’t as playful (and not all of them, just some and maybe me included) is that caregiving takes a LOT of energy and mother’s are simply exhausted from their job, caregiving, and housework, with very little free time to recharge themselves.

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 04:15:48 +0000

In reply to Deonna at the Child at Heart blog. Trampolines are so much fun, as is swimming with the kids. Thanks for subscribing. :)

By: Deonna at the Child at Heart blog

Deonna at the Child at Heart blog — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 22:32:26 +0000

I pinned this the other day and LOVE it! I swim with my son and husband every time we go to a hotel and it makes me sad seeing the moms (in their swimsuits) sitting on the chairs looking at their phones. Come on get in!!! haha We just bought a trampoline for our little son and I think I’m way more excited than he will be 🙂 Subscribed because I can’t wait to hear more!