If you miss the lighter, sillier version of yourself you used to be, this episode will help you find her again — even in the chaos of family life.

Across thousands of conversations in the Motherkind community, one theme comes up again and again: fun quietly disappears for so many of us. Playfulness slips away. And most mothers aren’t even sure how to begin getting it back.

In this uplifting and deeply reassuring episode, I sit down with play researcher and writer Emma Worrollo to explore why fun matters far more than we realise, not as something extra on the to-do list, but as a powerful support for resilience, regulation and connection.

Emma explains how we slowly train playfulness out of ourselves as adults, why that leaves us feeling flat or overwhelmed, and what happens when we start to bring back even the tiniest moments of joy. Her “1% rule” is one of my favourite tools, a gentle, doable way to shift your mood without needing more time, childcare or energy.

This conversation is your reminder that joy isn’t frivolous. It’s essential. And you absolutely deserve moments of lightness, even in the seasons that feel heavy.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

Why fun disappears in motherhood — and how to bring it back

The simple shift from play to playfulness that changes everything

How playfulness strengthens resilience, regulation and connection

Small 1% tweaks that make everyday life feel lighter

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If you liked this episode, listen to a 2021 episode with Emma Worrollo next: The Power of Play

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