What kind of parent hates playing with their kids?

Apparently… me.

In this episode, I’m saying the quiet part out loud: I don’t like pretend play. I love my kids deeply, but crawling on the floor doing silly voices while holding a Barbie? It drains me. And if you’ve ever felt that guilt—the kind that creeps in when you say “not right now” or zone out halfway through a game—you’re not alone.

I talk about how my relationship with play and connection has changed over the years, especially as my kids have gotten older and I’ve gotten… tired. We dig into the pressure to be everything for your kids, how social media and shows like Bluey mess with our heads, and what it looks like to connect with your kids in ways that are actually sustainable.

You’ll hear what play looks like for me now—card games, Xbox, lawn mowing, watching Stranger Things, and saying “yes” to the stuff that feels real.

And of course, I wrap it all up with this week’s Caffeine & Coping segment featuring Sleep Token’s new album and—yes—Quaker rice cakes. Don’t judge me.

In this episode:

• The guilt of not wanting to play with your kids

• Why connection doesn’t have to look like pretend play

• The cultural pressure to be the “perfect parent”

• What showing up looks like in real life

• Caffeine & Coping: Sleep Token’s Even In Arcadia + the chaotic utility of rice cakes

This isn’t parenting advice. It’s just real talk from someone trying to stay present without burning out.