Play Hard

In the Tree House:

By: Samantha S. Daviss

We don’t stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing.
 – George Bernard Shaw

This quote is by far one of my most favorite quotes. And it is funny, it was recently backed up by some studies done that prove you will live a longer and healthier life is you play just as much as you work. The study also stated that if your child (or grandchild) asks you to play with them, stop everything you are doing and sit and play with them. Not only does it benefit you, but it does them as well. And the study showed, kids’ attention span is typically only about 15 minutes long. So who can’t spare 15 minutes out of their day to sit and put a puzzle together, or build some Legos?

I am pretty sure everyone has that kind of time. I know sometimes I am really bad about getting wrapped up in the laundry, or the cooking, or just being plan pooped after the day and I brush my kids’ requests off. But not anymore. When they ask I appease. After all, one day, very soon, I will look up and they will be gone. They will be in college starting their own lives, and soon having their own kids.

Primarily this study focused on play just as hard as you work. Really push yourself, really step outside of your comfort zone and have fun, live life, and let your inner child carry you away. I know when I am on the swing set with my boys, I have so much fun. I feel like a kid again, my stomach drops every time I swing high, and it is almost as if all my stresses, adult issues, and daily grinds disappear in the blink of an eye.

I think that is what this study has proven, if you just allow yourself to have fun, not think, and just play like you did as a kid; all your stresses and worries will subside. Therefore, resulting in a healthier happier you. And not to mention, your kids (or grandkids) will always remember you getting down on the floor with them to build a puzzle, to let them crawl in your lap to read a book, or to shoot some hoops outside.

I know as adults we are all really tired, from trying to keep up with the kids, to getting older, and the stresses life throws our way. But if you just let yourself relax and enjoy life then your mind and body will both be happier and healthier because of it.

If you think about it, some of the major corporations are tending to allow for more on-job playtime. And Google is probably the most recognized work place that does this. It is so important to allow adults play time. They need to stretch their minds beyond the cubicle. It allows for creativity, inner peace, and just a healthier person in general.

Don’t get me wrong, I love all the screens and technology. It has eased our world, and advanced us in ways that unimaginable. However, it is time to put down those devices, pick up some Legos, or a coloring book, or a basketball and go play. Let your inner kid come out.

What exactly is play and what defines it?

·         It’s voluntary in the sense that you’re not obligated to do it;

·         it’s flexible and can be changed or manipulated, like Play-Doh for your life;

·         and it’s enjoyable and fun.

Here is a great link to read, that backs up and gives more evidence to this recent study: http://www.psmag.com/health-and-behavior/throw-out-your-computer-and-grab-some-legos.

I personally think making playtime in your daily routine is just as important as incorporating exercise or work time into your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be the same thing every day, but think back on how easy life was as a kid…wouldn’t you want to feel that euphoria at least once a day?

Boring isn’t so bad

By: Samantha S. Daviss

I used to get very anxious when I had nothing to do. When my life was mundane, or when nothing was on the calendar for a while. But now I absolutely long for those days. Between work, kids, and life I feel like I haven’t had a moment to breathe in forever.

I don’t want to brag or anything, but I very rarely get behind on my laundry. And since we have moved, I feel like all I ever do now is laundry. I mean, seriously, did our house start producing clothes? I don’t remember ever having this much to wash. I have never had piles of laundry on the floor of my laundry room, but now I do. Except they are more like mini mountains, not piles.

The past few months of our lives have been absolutely crazy. We moved into our new house in early fall. I started a new company, that started out slowly and has now taken off like gangbusters, in addition to my other full-time job. I managed to unpack every box we had, and then like two weeks later decorate the entire house for Christmas.

Then I took Christmas decorations down, and have now put up Valentine’s Day décor. In the mean time we have been running around for sports with the teen, a knee injury, so back and forth to the doctor we went. And the middle one is doing basketball as well, so we are traveling to his games all the time.

Plus, every once in a while we find another load of stuff that needs to be unboxed and put away in the house. I finally managed to create a hole in our garage for my car to pull in.

During all this we are dealing with getting used to teenage life, running around, and hanging out with friends. Plus, the next two boys becoming a year older and dealing with their school work and worries and woes.

And just around the corner is my big 4-0 birthday. So I am getting geared up for that and excited to travel and see friends that are also turning 40 this year. But for my 40^th, I wanted a new puppy, so I have added that to our chaotic household and life. But she has been great and wouldn’t trade her for the world.

And yet again, just the other day, we discovered another filled warehouse stall full of family photos for the walls of our new home. We knew all this was still in storage, but when you finally get settled and then realize you have more work to do, it’s frustrating.

In addition to that you have volunteer responsibilities, you have work obligations, you have meetings outside of work, plus you have to carve out some family time.

I am so ready for a bunch of blank squares on my calendar. I think I am mentally and emotionally drained from all the excitement the past four months. So to myself I say…if I ever get anxious again about some quiet down time, I might just lock myself in the closet.

Ode to My Teenager

This is the most difficult time in your life, and I understand that. Believe it or not I was once in your shoes. I know you stand there and look at me as some old lady, but honestly I remember more about my adolescent years than I probably care to remember.

My ode to you:

     1)      You will drive me crazy daily;

     2)      You will probably send me to bed crying most nights;

     3)      You will try to play your dad and I against one another:

     4)      You will pick on your siblings ruthlessly and endlessly;

     5)      You will look at me like I am the dumbest person in the world:

     6)      At some point we both may want to kill each other, or just not speak;

     7)      I will drive you crazy daily;

     8)      Your version of getting up off the couch is to fill your cereal bowl again, while my version is to put that cereal bowl into the kitchen sink;

     9)      You may wish you lived in another house;

    10)   And you think all I do is yell.

And to that I say, you are correct. You are correct to all of it, as am I. We will butt heads, we will disagree, you will find me to be the biggest nag in the world, with the loudest vocal chords.

But I do it because I love you more than anything in this world. There is nothing that can compare to a mother’s love. Dad’s come close, but unfortunately they were not blessed with the opportunity to carry you inside them for nine months. And with that there was an everlasting bound built between us. One you may never understand until you hold your own baby.

But let it be known that I will love you until the day you die, I will continue to nag you to make you a smarter, stronger, and better person; and I will continue to ride you because I know you can and will make a difference in this world.

And no matter what you think, no matter what you do or say to me, or how hateful or angry you get with me, I will always love you. I will always be there for you.

This is in honor of all three of my boys, because I know at some point we will all hit rough patches together, but no matter what… I will love you with all my heart and soul until the day I die, and then some.

And to all you parents out there with teens or upcoming teens, just remind them you are there for them no matter how big the bumps get.