It’s Saturday morning, and two of my kids are playing independently. The play dyad moves from room to room; they collect toys and belongings here and there. They leave one thing and pick up another. The stories evolve as the morning moves along. First, it’s stuffy school, then there is a big stuffy birthday party planned for tonight. Decorations and invitations are required. Craft materials will do the trick. The party will take place in the basement, while the school is still upstairs in a bedroom. The neighbor’s dog is outside. Boots on and out they go to greet their canine friends. Once outside, they decide to have an adventure in their fort. And this is how some mornings unfold in our house. Beautiful, unstructured play expands and transforms throughout the morning.

They are also tearing the house apart.

It feels like a cost-benefit analysis. They are occupied, being creative, and it’s more culturally approved because they are not on screens. The cost is the order of my home.

Listen for more the mess of play and the myth that we can control it.

Additional topic links:

How to Keep House While Drowning: a gentle appraoch to cleaning and organizing* by KC Davis

Tidy Dad and Tidy Up Your Life: Rethinking How to Organize, Declutter, and Make Space for What Matters Most*.

The newsletter, The Workspace for Children, written by Lizzie Assa. Lizzie provides a balanced approach a play filled family life.

For more essays with less mythical parenting perfection and more real messy life, make sure you are subscribed!

*I am an affiliate of bookshop.org. If you purchase through this link, I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you)

As always—Just a little reminder: The content on A Wonderful Mess posted by Dr. Kathryn Barbash, PsyD, is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical, clinical, legal, or professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your licensed mental health professional or other qualified health provider.

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