In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Kim Van Dusen — one of my very first podcast guests ever — to talk about her new book Parenting Through Play.

Together we explore why play is such a powerful entry point for connection, regulation, and even repair with our kids. Dr. Kim helps those of us who don't always feel like getting on the floor to play (hi, it's me) by introducing the idea of "purposeful play pockets" — micro moments of novelty and playfulness woven throughout the day that don't require a ton of energy or capacity. Think: swapping a fork for a pair of tongs at dinner, or a small mindset shift at clean-up time.

We also talk about:

The myth that play has to mean sitting on the floor for hours of pretend
Reconnecting with your own inner child (especially if you didn't grow up in a playful home)
Why play and power struggles both take energy...and which one you'd rather spend it on
Using play as a tool for repair
How play can help kids work through big transitions, sibling dynamics, separation anxiety, and fear
The invisible mental load that comes with parenting and with being the "fun" one
The legacy we leave when our kids learn to use play to connect, communicate, and repair

To learn more from Dr. Kim and grab a copy of Parenting Through Play, visit theparentologist.com/book and follow along on Instagram @theparentologist.

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