She’s back! In this special return episode, Vanessa catches up with Myriam Sandler of @mothercould, who first joined The MomForce Podcast three years ago, and a lot has changed since then. Myriam is now a published author, and her new book, Playful By Design, is a tool for parents everywhere to rethink how they approach play at home.

From her viral take—“I hardly play with my kids”—to her genius strategies for cultivating independent play, Myriam shares how creating the right environment (not more Pinterest crafts) is the secret to raising curious, confident kids. As she puts it:

“Yes, I engage and connect with them… but I’ve built a space where they can play on their own and that’s the goal.”

Vanessa and Myriam also dive into:

• The unexpected power of Play Dough  

• Why chia seed goop is a sensory win and a parental cautionary tale

• How to turn “no” moments into easy yeses

• And how Chatbooks photo books are actually made for kids to relive their own stories

This conversation is full of real talk, practical tips, and plenty of laughs—especially if you’ve ever found slime in your carpet! I know you are going to love it. 

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5:35 Why Myriam "doesn't play with her kids" 

9:36 The weirdest thing Myriam has made for her kids. 

10:47 Why Myriam is not afraid of messes at her house 

15:20 How Myriam organizes her family memories 

22:17 What is the balance between sensory play and your sanity as a mom?

29:28 Connection is at the heart of everything 

32:39 How to approach alone time and self care -- without guilt!