It’s been something of a tumultuous year as we adjusted back to life in the UK after 9 years of expat life. However, we’re ending the year feeling settled and happy. Whilst I wouldn’t recommend an international house move, followed by home and garden renovations to anyone, I’m thankful that we are to start 2025 on a fresh page.

2024 has also brought changes to this Substack page and I now have a very clear path going forward. First and foremost, I made the decision to rename this page ‘This Playful Home’ to better reflect my social media pages. You might also notice that this website is now officially thisplayfulhome.com after I made the decision to fully close down my WordPress website. Over the coming months, I will be transferring all of my old play-based blogs onto this page.

If you missed the post about all of the changes to this page, you can read it below:

In real life, I’ve had increasing demand for my tutoring and educational consultancy services. My bespoke curriculums, which blend classical children’s literature with seasonal living and a playful hands-on approach, are becoming increasingly popular with local families - and it’s also something that brings me a great amount of joy - so I have decided to branch out and offer my tutoring services online too. To celebrate this, will be officially launching in January. I will be offering private tutoring, educational services and off-the-peg curriculums.

Family Rhythms at Christmas Time

A key part of my own philosophy is to use family rhythms as an anchor. When life gets crazy and stressful, our family rhythm helps to keep us focused. And every season, we hold a family meeting to decide on what we really want to do.

Whilst things don’t always work out as planned (like our cancelled trip to Blenheim Palace), part of the fun is writing out our bucket list. We’ve been able to fully embrace all things Christmas this year and it’s been so lovely to have some stability. Last year, we literally just moved into our house on the 21st of December which made Christmas feel like a bit of an after thought! So far we’ve baked sugar cookies, watched a load of Christmas movies, made Victorian-style orange garlands and possibly drank a few to many hot chocolates!

Christmas Ideas

I bet you’re busy enough already, without me adding Christmas activity ideas to your list. But if you’re looking for some playful ideas for the holidays, here are some of our favourites.

On Friday, I will be publishing a blog post brimming with activity ideas for the Winter Solstice.

It took me a while to realise that parenting didn’t have to be complicated. I used to make life extremely difficult for myself by overthinking and over-doing.

A moment of clarity came for me when I was trying to get my children involved in a craft project: they were just not into it and I was frustrated because I was trying to do something nice for them – didn’t they care at all?

Well the answer is, no, not really and moreover why should they either? Because when I started to really do the research, I discovered that independent, child-led play is much more engaging than a forced fun craft project ever would be.

Then, when I got sick when pregnant with my third child, things really came into focus in a big way. Suffering from low iron levels that left me dizzy in the third trimester and then getting Labyrinthitis afterwards, I found myself laid up on the couch far more than I wanted.

Part of my own parental overwhelm was around alternate feelings of boredom one day and exhaustion the next. We had no consistency to our days which made it difficult for me to achieve anything for myself. When we introduced a gentle daily rhythm which placed a large emphasis on outdoor play and independent play, I found that I was more able to make time for myself.

I am not in anyway suggesting that it is a magic wand and I know self-care can be a bit of a contentious issue. But for me personally, I noticed that when I started to adjust our rhythm in this way, I could have some ‘me-time’ without it being just another thing added to my plate. This has also given me more energy to go all-in on the other areas of my day too.

In fact, when things get hectic (which they often do around this time of year) I always reassess and come back to rhythm.

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Here’s what you will learn this month.

• An overview of what a Family Rhythm is (this post)

• How to create your own set of unique family values

• How to create a seasonal rhythm

• How to create a weekly rhythm

• How to create a daily rhythm

I’ve spoken about daily rhythm many times before on my Instagram pages and Pinterest, but what exactly do they encompass?

What You’ll Learn in this article:

• What family rhythms are

• The importance of a family rhythm

What do you receive as a paid subscriber?

• Access to this article and the other newsletters in this masterclass series (which are released over the course of September 2022

• Printable resources

• Journal prompts and reflection questions

• Access to the Playful Prompts library

• Seasonal Rhythms Guide and Printable resources

• New masterclass topics every month

• Access to community discussion boards

This newsletter is part of the Family Rhythms Masterclass which is exclusive to paid subscribers. To access the content, including printable resources and guides, please click the link below.

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But this of course is not just a experience unique to me, young children in general love to interact with the world around them, engaging their senses to observe the changes around them.

In this newsletter, we are going to be looking at the ‘big picture’ and focus on seasonal rhythms. Why? Because, young typically children do not understand calendar time, but they can and will observe the changes in nature.

What you’ll learn In this newsletter:

In this week’s newsletter, we are going to be covering:

• why seasons and not calendar months?

• what a seasonal rhythm is

• activities and events to participate in

• how you can create a seasonal with your own family

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What You’ll Learn in this article:

• What a weekly rhythm is

• The benefits of having a weekly rhythm

• Example rhythms

• Advice on after-school clubs

• Tips for working parents

• Useful tools

• When you should make changes to a weekly rhythm

• How to get started and create your own weekly rhythm

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What You’ll Learn in this article:

• What a daily rhythm is

• Why it’s important

• What you should include - plus examples

• How to create your own - including a pdf download worth $8

This newsletter is part of A Playful Year which is exclusive to paid subscribers. To access the content, including printable resources and guides, please click the link below.

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As parents we have never been more aware of what everyone else is doing - or at least, we have an awareness of what we *think* everyone is doing. We’re all now well aware that people post their highlight reel to social media feeds, but the feeling of ‘keeping up with the Jones’ still lingers.

Should you paint your nursery beige? Become a ‘crunchy mum’ or go full-on Montessori? Well, the truth is, you can do all of those things *IF* that is something you feel passionate about. Ultimately, you need to live your purpose.

Slowing down, simplifying and living with intention are all things that I passionately believe in. And what links these? Connection.

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What you’ll learn in the Connection Mini Course

This mini course is packed full of value and downloadable resources that have previously been available in my online store and via my courses. Here, you get the masterclass and printable resources for as little as $5.801

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Important Links

1. Micro and macro moments of connection

2. family time (slowing down to be more)

3. Connection through play

4. Connection to self

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Family time is important because it provides an opportunity for family members to connect, bond, and build strong relationships with one another. Spending quality time together can improve communication, increase understanding, and help to create a positive and supportive family environment. Family time can also provide a sense of stability and security, especially for children, and can help to create lasting memories. In today’s fast-paced world, taking time to focus on family can also reduce stress and promote a better work-life balance.

In this week’s newsletter, we will explore how to make more time for one another because human connection is crucial for our overall wellbeing.

This newsletter is part of the Connection Mini Course, which is exclusive to paid subscribers. To access the content, including printable resources and guides, please click the link below.

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Family rituals go hand in hand with your family values , your daily routines and your family rhythms. They are another part of the fabric that makes your family unique.

But first, what’s the difference between routines and rituals?

While the terms ‘routine’ and ‘ritual’ are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between the two.

A routine is a set of actions that you perform regularly as part of your daily or weekly schedule.

For example, waking up at the same time every day, exercising at a certain time, or checking emails first thing in the morning can all be considered routines. Routines are often established for practical reasons, such as to save time, increase efficiency, or create structure in our lives.

A ritual is a set of actions that are performed with intention and purpose. Rituals often have a symbolic or spiritual significance and are designed to create a sense of meaning or connection.

For example, lighting a candle before a meditation practice, saying grace before a meal, or performing a specific set of movements before a sports game can all be considered rituals.

While both routines and rituals involve a set of actions that are repeated regularly, the key difference lies in their intention and purpose. Routines are often established for practical reasons, while rituals are designed to create a sense of connection or meaning. In other words, a routine is a habit that helps us get things done, while a ritual is a meaningful practice that helps us connect with ourselves, others, or a higher power.

The research of Barbara H Fiese

Barbara H. Fiese is a psychologist who has conducted extensive research on the importance of family routines and rituals. Her research has shown that both routines and rituals can be beneficial for families in different ways.

According to Fiese, routines can help to create a sense of stability and predictability in children's lives, which can in turn reduce stress and anxiety. When children know what to expect each day, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed or uncertain. Routines can also help to promote healthy habits, such as regular exercise, eating nutritious meals, and getting enough sleep.

In contrast, rituals are important for creating a sense of connection and meaning in families. Fiese notes that rituals can help to strengthen family bonds, promote a sense of belonging, and create a shared sense of identity. When families engage in rituals together, they create memories and experiences that can be cherished and remembered for years to come.

Fiese's research has also shown that both routines and rituals can be beneficial for children's development. For example, children who have regular mealtime routines with their families are more likely to have better nutrition and higher academic achievement. Similarly, children who participate in family rituals, such as celebrating holidays or participating in religious practices, are more likely to have a positive sense of identity and stronger family relationships.

Overall, Fiese's work highlights the importance of both routines and rituals in promoting healthy family functioning and child development. By establishing regular routines and engaging in meaningful rituals, families can create a sense of structure, stability, and connection that can benefit everyone involved.

Fiese also wrote a book on the subject entitled ‘Family Routines and Rituals.’

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5 benefits of families having routines and rituals:

Creates a sense of stability and predictability:

Routines can help to create a sense of stability and predictability in children's lives. When children know what to expect each day, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed or uncertain. This can help to reduce stress and anxiety and promote a sense of security.

Promotes healthy habits:

Routines can help to promote healthy habits, such as regular exercise, eating nutritious meals, and getting enough sleep. When you establish regular routines around these activities, they are more likely to become habits that your children carry with them into adulthood.

Strengthens family bonds:

Rituals can help to strengthen your family bonds by creating shared experiences and memories. When you engage in rituals together, they create a sense of belonging and connection that can help to build stronger relationships.

Enhances children's development:

Both routines and rituals can be beneficial for you child's development. Children who have regular mealtime routines with their families are more likely to have better nutrition and higher academic achievement. Similarly, children who participate in family rituals are more likely to have a positive sense of identity and stronger family relationships.

Provides opportunities for communication and connection:

Routines and rituals can provide opportunities for you to communicate and connect as a family. Mealtime routines, bedtime routines, and daily check-ins can all be opportunities for parents and children to share their thoughts and feelings and strengthen their relationships.

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Journal Prompts

• What are some of your favourite memories from your own childhood? Did your family have any rituals or traditions that you particularly enjoyed? How might you adapt or create similar rituals with your own family?

• What are some of the values and beliefs that are important to you as a family? How might you incorporate these values into your family rituals?

• What are some of the challenges that your family faces on a daily basis? How might you use rituals to help alleviate some of these challenges and create a sense of predictability and stability in your family life?

• What are some of the activities or experiences that you enjoy doing together as a family? How might you turn these activities into regular rituals that you can look forward to and enjoy together?

• How might you involve your children in the process of creating and implementing family rituals? What are some of their ideas and suggestions for rituals that they would like to incorporate into your family life?

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Whilst it might sound counterintuitive, connection time helps children to play more independently. When we are intentional about our days and how we carve out those precious hours within the day, everyone in the family wins.

As parents we have never been more aware of what everyone else is doing - or at least, we have an awareness of what we *think* everyone is doing. We’re all now well aware that people post their highlight reel to social media feeds, but the feeling of ‘keeping up with the Jones’ still lingers.

Should you paint your nursery beige? Become a ‘crunchy mum’ or go full-on Montessori? Well, the truth is, you can do all of those things *IF* that is something you feel passionate about. Ultimately, you need to live your purpose.

Slowing down, simplifying and living with intention are all things that I passionately believe in. And what links these? Connection.

What You’ll Learn in this article:

• The perfect parent myth

• How to introduce micro moments of connection

• How to introduce macro moments of connection

• The link between Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Independent Play

• Reasons your child isn’t playing independently + solutions to try

This newsletter is part of the Connection Mini Course, which is exclusive to paid subscribers. To access the content, including printable resources and guides, please click the link below.

Subscribe now

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After almost 14 years as a mother, I have come to the conclusion that whilst parenthood does of course change us, it doesn't have to mean a complete removal of everything that came before.

In this newsletter, the last in the 'connection' mini course, we will be exploring the topic of Connection to self.

Whilst I find self-care idea lists helpful, this newsletter focuses on how you can spend more time working on your own interests.

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