engage
J
Buzz
SPRING 2018
maskmatters.org
23
COMPILED BY
Hailey Rein
FAMILY:
GO
AHEAD, BE SILLY!
P
arenting is the most important
job you’ll ever have. But instead
of taking everything so seriously,
childhood experts say having
fun and being silly is one of the best
approaches to parenting.
“Let’s face it, kids are silly at heart,”
says youth development professional Greg
Hood in an article for Parent.com. “It’s
part of their development as they grow
and mature. Somewhere along the line,
as adults, we’ve learned that being silly
has negative consequences. Try putting a
rubber chicken on your boss’s desk and see
what happens.”
According to Hood, it’s natural as
we “train” our children for adulthood,
we teach them not to be so silly, and we
certainly don’t partake in it.
“We’re serious about wanting to be
the best parents we can possibly be. But
one of the best things you can do as a
parent is to embrace the silliness,” he says.
Studies have shown that being silly
and having fun with your child can have
positive affects in such areas as comfort
and safety; coping with stress; bonding;
positive discipline and healthy choices;
and creativity. In addition, the simple act
of playing helps bridge the connection
between parent and child.
“We need to spend more time joining
children where they live, instead of all the
time dragging them into our world, which
is the world of schedules and chores and
planned activities,” says Lawrence Cohen,
a Massachusetts-based psychologist and
author of “Playful Parenting.” “Those
things have to be done, but when they
take over our family’s life, what gets
shortchanged is play.”
By being silly with your kids, you’ll
feel more close and relaxed. You’ll also
know you’re making an impact. More
importantly, your connection with your
child will strengthen and both of you
will fully enjoy life’s journey.
