Every Tuesday, we will write about “play” and how adults and children alike can have this in their lives.

This is one of my favorite stories that always makes me laugh — I thought I would share again:

My [at the time] 4 year old son, Keilan, is an only child and loves to play — as long as it is with someone.  He does not enjoy playing by himself.  He needs someone to appreciate how fast he is.  He needs someone to be the villain to his hero.  He needs someone to watch his made-up shows, to chase him around the room — someone to talk to while he eats his cereal.  That someone is me, or his dad.    

It doesn’t stop there.  When Keilan gets bored playing with me (ordinary mom), he wants me to be other people.   Not as in a character in a story, but actually pretending to be someone else as his playmate.  For example, if something new or exciting happens,  he wants to tell someone about it.   Well, since I (mom) have  already seen or heard about this new story, he asks me to pretend to be someone else so he can tell them (me) about what he knows.  For example, ”Mom, will you be Nana so I can tell her about this.”  ”Ok, I’m Nana”.  “Nana, did you know my mommy got me this new toy — look how cool it is.”  “Wow, Keilan that’s great.”  And, I will continue to be Nana until he feels he has told “her” enough details about the new toy. Then, he wants me to be Papa so he can tell him about the toy as well.  And so on. 

I do love the creativity and energy of my son, but it makes me tired. 

In my effort to combat his constant need for my attention, I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea.  I would help my son to create an imaginary friend.   First, I suggested that sometimes instead of playing with Mommy or Daddy, he could have an imaginary friend.   He seemed to like the idea initially and thought of the name “Heffridge” for his friend.   A strange name, yes, but I did not inquire further for fear of slowing the momentum.  I explained to my son that Heffridge would always be there to play with or talk to if he needed him and, when he had something exciting to tell, Heffridge would always listen. We were on a roll.   

But then, I went too far. Read More…

Posted under Play, Random Thoughts

A funny, touching and true reading by Kelly Corrigan, author of The Middle Place.

Posted under Connecting

Although I enjoy writing about what will make us happy and what are useful things to work towards, I also agree with the  idea put forth in this article on Zen Habits – “stop waiting for happiness. Happiness is right here, right now.”  

I think many of us felt that this holiday season as we spent a little less and enjoyed our time with family. Happiness is now.

Posted under Happiness Project