158. Why you stopped having fun as a mom (and how to get it back) — Laura Haver

Oct 10

Free for AFO listeners: grab Laura's Playlist Planner to find your own unique play activities and plan them into a busy schedule → https://laurahaver.com/playlist/

Reclaiming fun has been coming up everywhere lately, at Andrea's breakfast club, in her strategy sessions with working parents and over dinner with friends, so she's bringing back one of the most joyful conversations in the All Figured Out archive. Laura Haver is a play advocate, author, life coach, mom and former pro beach tennis player, and she makes the case that play belongs to grown-ups too. Andrea and Laura get into what play actually is (spoiler, your colour-coded spreadsheet might count), why it slowly disappears as we get older, what happened when Laura said yes to competing again with two little kids at home, and simple ways to bring fun back into busy days, for you and with your kids.

Originally aired as Episode 64.

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In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) Intro
(03:06) Podcasts in the shower and making the mundane fun
(06:30) Seasons of taking in and pouring out
(09:07) How Laura became an expert in play
(12:04) When play turns into pressure
(15:24) Kids can tell when you're really playing
(17:43) What the research says about play
(19:10) So what is play, anyway?
(20:47) Colouring books, spreadsheets and giving yourself permission
(22:25) The Playlist Planner and more energy with two little kids
(26:42) Quality playtime when you're short on time
(28:38) Time blocking play (and the guilt it takes away)
(31:35) Saying yes more and letting kids lead
(33:51) The mud kitchen
(35:31) Bringing play into your own day
(37:02) Social media as a playground
(42:20) Play and your next career move
(44:54) Fun at work and the power of connection
(47:16) Daily delight and Gratitude Detectives
(50:03) How Laura found her through line
(54:49) Try it on, one small step at a time
(56:11) What Laura's still figuring out
(57:05) Where to find Laura

KEY TAKEAWAY

Look at what you already enjoy, give yourself credit for it, and put a few phone-free minutes of play on the calendar. A little fun on purpose gives you more energy for everything else.

About Laura Haver

Laura Haver is a play advocate, author, speaker, life coach, mom and former pro athlete. She is an expert in play, communication and happiness, and has helped thousands of people experience more fun, fulfillment and joy in their lives. She has been featured on the Today Show, CBS, Fox, Parents, Shape and more, and is the author of Play Together: Games & Activities for the Whole Family to Boost Creativity, Connection & Mindfulness.

Connect with Laura

Website | https://laurahaver.com/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lauramhaver/ | https://www.instagram.com/authormoms/

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahaver

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/laurahaverauthor

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@lauramhaver

Book: Play Together | https://link.amazon/B09bZqsvq