I know I say this often, but in case you haven't heard me lately, using play to understand, interact & deepen your relationship with your child is MAGIC! I have play sessions with my children regularly. We sometimes get off our routine, and I am quickly reminded by misbehavior (or misguided behaviors) that my children need  and deserve that one-on-one playtime with me. 

Last week my four year old got in trouble on the playground at the end of the school day. He is a wonderful child and a human child - so yes, the boy gets in trouble. For some reason many people are delighted to find out that my children act up in misguided ways just like all children. At any rate, he was in trouble and I was finding myself less than empathic to his situation. I decided we would have a play session.

We got home, ate a snack and went up to our playroom. I used the magic skills (FEEL) for the next 30 minutes. As I typically do, I thanked my son for our time and told him I enjoyed our special play time as we left the playroom, and he was rather quite which is not typical for him. He turned to me and apologized (as out of thin air) for his unkind behavior at school that afternoon (he was actually very specific with his apology). Now, I did not mention the incident or anything having to do with the incident during our 30 minute play session. I had actually almost forgotten about the playground situation. And boom, there it was an opportunity to explore to whom he should apologize and perhaps a peace offering delivery that might accompany the apology. You have to try it to experience the magic, and trust me when I say that magic blows me away in new ways every week. Play is a powerful tool for parents to deepen their relationship with children, but the magic is in the play skills.

 Happy playing!