Have you ever watched your kids playing? I mean really WATCHED them? Do you notice how carefree and full of life they are when they’re playing? They’re not worried about what they have to do tomorrow or beating themselves up with guilt over what they should have done yesterday.

Maybe (just maybe) if we tried to grab a little bit of that unbridled zest for life, we’d be happier parents. Perhaps instead of taking that cellphone call while the kids are swinging in the backyard, we could join them. Yes. On the swing. Feel that wind in our face…pushing away the stress. Show our kids that we’re not too busy to have fun with them. Listen to their giggles and share a few of ours with them.

Try to spend a little time playing this week. It’s OK. That phone call can wait. The dishes will still be there when you go back inside. The laundry can stay in the wash for a bit.

Play.

(photo from msn)