Today’s Parenting Tip:

DECIDE:        Make-believe is great fun for adults.

PRACTICE:    Today, think about the last time you pretended with other adults. Attended an adult Halloween party, went to a Mystery Dinner Theatre, played a board game in which you had to act like an assigned character, played charades, etc.?

Were you able to enjoy it or did you feel out-of-place and self-conscious?

If you freely had fun, celebrate that you captured that feeling and held on to it from childhood.

If you were uncomfortable, why were you?

Make a list of beliefs that would help you feel the joy of make-believe. For example, do you truly believe you can flip the switch when you need to – between child-like fun and being a responsible adult? Do you believe people will think badly of you, if you have child-like fun?

Pick something on your list to work on. One approach would be to talk to friends you respect who seem to be good at “playing.” Ask them what they think makes it possible for them to live well in both the world of work and the world of play.

Follow Nike’s advice and “Just Do It.” – over and over until it starts to feel more comfortable.

Today’s Parenting Tip was inspired by our featured picture book, DOCTOR TED.  Read the book to a child in your life each day as a reminder of what you are deciding and practicing that day.

Come back each day for another good parenting decision and how to practice it. (Each day’s activity will also be posted on the Daily Parenting Tips page for easy access.)

Read the whole story at Make-Believe and Funny: Two Good Things.