I don't know how well I do at setting aside time for unstructured "play" but I have recently recognized my own cravings lately for a creative outlet as well as exercise. In the past week, I have been making a deliberate effort to make time for both, and have been enjoying it very much! It's given me a much-needed lift.
I agree that it's really important to reduce stress and free our minds once in a while from the "to-do" list. The irony is that in order for me to make time for "play" I guess I am actually adding it to my to do list, but it generally looks a lot more inviting on the list than the usual notes to clean the house, buy groceries, mow the lawn, etc.
I have an interest in writing and illustrating children's books and I'm hooked on a new idea. I put aside my writing and art for quite some time, especially once I started homeschooling, and I've missed it sooooo much. I don't know how long it will take me to pull this all together but this is creative play for me--kind of like how working in the garden is still "work" but because it's something I enjoy, it can be a good stress reducer for me. The particular project I am working on also has a spiritual element to it so I feel like I am benefiting as much from the creative energy as I am from the prayer and reflection that go along with it.
As for making sure my kids have time for play....I am
100% in agreement. Play is my 9-year-old son's refuge from his fears. And, for what it's worth, when he's calmer, the rest of us in the family benefit as well. I schedule his school day as a mixture of school lessons and play time. I try to balance the play time between activities of his choice and mine...trying to recognize when he needs sensory stimulation or therapeutic play to help him regulate and when he needs to be able to just go with it! I can often gauge how regulated he is by how well he's playing. I've heard it said before that play is kid's work.... how very true.
BTW--What are some favorite board games and card games that you all like to play with your kids?
GAMEWRIGHT company makes some fun card games. We have
Sleeping Queens,
There's a Moose in the House, and
Loot. We also have some of their board games including
Castle Keep and
Snap which we haven't played as often. CRANIUM also makes some fun games.
Zooreka and
Cadoo are a lot of fun. Also, a couple of years ago I bought a game called
Clue Mysteries which is based on the traditional game of
Clue but it takes it a step further by having about 50 individual mysteries to solve so that the game is different every time you play it. As you move around the board, you visit the homes of Miss Scarlett, Mrs. White, Professor Plum...etc, and each character has a different clue to reveal when you land on their house. It's a fun game too.
OK--now I'm in the mood to play some games....guess I'll add it to the "to-do" list today!
Have a good day everyone!
Liz