Kids today seem to have it made. No stress in their lives, no worries about finances, the groceries, errands, the everyday bothers of adulthood. I often find myself driving past a playground, envying those little guys running around playing Freeze Tag with each other. What working woman today has the time for play? Well, I'm here to tell you this: MAKE TIME!
Stress can lead to so many health, mental, and emotional problems. The everyday rustics of live can be overwhelming, especially while juggling children. (okay, don't actually juggle your kids, you know what I mean!) In this day and age, you've got to just make the time. Take an afternoon for yourself. Jump on the tire swing instead of checking your email while the kids are at the park. Here are a few other ideas for quick and painless ways to be a kid again, and boost your energy, happiness, and overall physical health once and for all.
1. Play a round of kickball in the backyard with the kids. Use paper plates as the bases.
2. Teach your kid to play "spider" on the swing set instead of pushing them.
3. Ask your kids to do a puppet show with you, create puppets out of paper plates or daddy's old socks.
4. Go for a girl's day, indulge in a new outfit, trying on 500 before it.
5. Offer to take the kids to Chuckie Cheese, but get some tokens for yourself and show them up at Foozeball.
6. Teach yourself a new board game, then play the kids on Friday Night.
7. Don't fret when the boys wrestle in the house, join in!
8. Instead of a morning run, go roller-blading, and take your kids on their bikes.
9. Download Hannah Montana songs to your Ipod, wiggle around dancing to it on your walk into work.
10. Smile as often as you can, make corny jokes even if you're the only one laughing at them.
It doesn't take much for a woman to feel young again. The simplest things can go a long way in your health, daily outlook on life, and overall attitude. Get busy playing!
Brandi Lee
Not Quite a Grown-Up