In this episode join Alice, Lara, Stacy and Belynda for a fun filled conversation about the Hand in Hand Parenting tool of Playlistening. We discuss how this tool is all about laughter and the amazing benefits that brings, from increased cooperation to less arguing and, most of all, an increased feeling of fun and connection in your family.

You’ll hear more about

• The benefits of letting your child be the strong, powerful, competent one while you are a bumbling fool
• How chasing the giggles helps your child heal from fears and other hurts
• Why roughhousing is a great thing to add to your day
• How Playlistening can help resolve sibling or friend squabbles
• That we all find it hard at times to be playful and how we can resource ourselves to return to a playful attitude
• Starting small and thinking about where you most want to bring lightness to your day
• Experimenting and knowing that it won’t always work out… and that’s ok!
• Using playfulness to bring limits that build cooperation and connection

If you want to learn how to approach tricky moments with play, find some ideas for games, and the kinds of situations where this tool can really help, this is the episode for you!

And, if you are interested in finding a Listening Partner and would like to join the Tales from the Toolbox WhatsApp Group, please complete this form and we’ll email you the details: https://forms.gle/DjjbTBxfTat1EMLE8

Some other resources on Playlistening you might enjoy:

• An article outlining this tool https://www.handinhandparenting.org/2019/03/get-past-power-battles-the-fun-way-a-playful-parents-guide-to-discipline/
• Listen by Patty Wipfler and Tosha Schore (which has a whole chapter dedicated to Playlistening AND is also available as an audiobook) - https://www.handinhandparenting.org/listen-five-simple-tools/
• These articles sharing playful ways to deal with many common parenting predicaments https://www.handinhandparenting.org/?s=playful+ways&id=23456
• Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen - a fantastic book for all things play related.
• The Art Of Roughousing by Anthony DeBenedet and Lawrence Cohen for some great ideas about how to get started, or level up, your physical play.

You can continue the conversation with us at talesfromthetoolbox@gmail.com or you can follow on social media @talesfromthetoolboxpodcast

We’d love it if you would subscribe to our podcast on your podcast platform, and if you could leave us a review that will help us reach more parents with these practical and supportive tools.

Wishing you lots of connection and joy in your parenting, and thanks for listening.

• You can connect with Belynda in Australia at belynda.smith@meerilinga.org.au
• You can connect with Alice in Shetland at alice@warmheartedparenting.com
• You can connect with Lara in London at lara@handinhandparenting.org
• You can connect with Stacy in California at growingoodness@gmail.com
• You can connect with Kelly in South Africa at kelly@consciousconfidentparenting.co.za