Remember when play came naturally? When laughter flowed freely with your little ones? Then something shifted. The sidewalk chalk disappeared, games became "dorky," and eye rolls replaced giggles. What happened to that sacred sense of wonder we once shared with our children?
This episode explores the beautiful tension of parenting older kids while trying to maintain—or recover—our capacity for sacred play. We dive into the neuroscience behind why imagination fades (it's called synaptic pruning) and the hopeful reality that our brains can build new pathways back to joy through intentional practice. We challenge common myths about teenagers: they don't actually want to be left alone; they crave meaningful connection beyond screens; and yes, they still want moments of silliness and delight—just in different forms.
Looking to Jesus as our model, we find someone who embodied playful spirituality through questions, stories, and inviting people to notice the world around them. His posture of curiosity reminds us that God delights in questions rather than fearing mystery. What blocks us from embracing this divine playfulness? Often it's shame, exhaustion, or the persistent feeling that we haven't earned joy yet—that we don't deserve delight until the to-do list is complete. But what if play isn't a luxury but a spiritual discipline essential for our wholeness?
Whether your children are toddlers, teens, or somewhere in between, this episode offers gentle permission to start small: one moment of shared delight this week. Because it's not too late to rebuild wonder—for your children's sake and your own. Join me on Instagram @parentforwardpodcast to share how it goes, and tune in next week for a special behind-the-scenes episode about the heart behind Parent Forward, plus a giveaway of my favorite parenting tools!

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