Parentotheca’s Newsletter
Learn. Parent. Grow.
Issue #2 – June 2025
👋 Welcome to June’s Newsletter
Hello friends,
How’s your summer unfolding?
Ours kicked off with sunshine, muddy knees, and marshmallows on sticks – the kind of simple magic you only get when you leave your phone behind and say yes to PLAY. And I don’t just mean the kids.
We’ve been navigating the usual end-of-school-year chaos – teacher announcements, assessments, school fairs, and a calendar that looks like someone spilled alphabet soup. But even amidst the madness, we’ve been carving out time for connection, nature, and spontaneous fun. And honestly? It’s been exactly what we all needed.
That’s why this month, I want to talk about something we adults don’t talk about nearly enough: play.
Not the kind you supervise – the kind you actually join in.
Because summer isn’t just about keeping kids entertained. It’s about building memories. Feeling light. Reconnecting with joy. And play is one of the fastest ways to get there.
I’m not here to lecture you about how important free play is for your child’s brain (though it is).
Today, I want to nudge you – yes, you – to reignite your own play spark.
Because when you play more, everything gets easier. Your parenting softens. Your creativity flows. Your family thrives.
✨ And if you’re not already following me on Instagram or Facebook, I’m back with daily bite-sized goodness – real-talk parenting tips, mindset shifts, behind-the-scenes moments, and occasional chaos. Come say hi – I’d love to connect with you there.
Ready?
Let’s dive in.
🔍 Monthly Insight: Play Isn’t Just Fun – It’s Your Shortcut to Joy, Connection & Sanity
This month, we went on two muddy, wild, and utterly magical camping trips. No agenda. Just families gathering for a weekend-long playdate – for the kids, and honestly, for us grown-ups too.
And while the weather gave us everything (pouring rain, blazing sun, soggy socks…), it wasn’t sunshine that made it special.
It was the play.
Barefoot kids running free. Dads vs. kids football. Adults dancing in the rain. Cricket matches, campfire jokes, marshmallows and pure magic.
No screens. No structure. Just presence.
What really struck me?
Adults need play as much as kids. And when we join in – when we get silly, messy, and real – connection skyrockets. Even the rain becomes part of the story we’ll never forget.
That’s the power of play. It connects, transforms, and makes joy contagious.
My summer goal: play more.
What’s yours?
📚 From the Library: What Play Can Do for Your Brain, Body & Relationships (from Play by Stuart Brown)
“Life without play is a grinding, mechanical existence organized around doing the things necessary for survival.”
— Dr. Stuart Brown, Play
Ever feel like you’re stuck on a treadmill – doing all the right things, but missing the spark?
Dr. Stuart Brown argues that play isn’t just something nice to have. It’s essential. As vital to our wellbeing as sleep, food, or movement.
In Play, he shows how play lowers stress, deepens relationships, fuels creativity, and boosts productivity. And get this – it even protects your brain and heart:
“People who continue to play… are much less prone to dementia, heart disease, and other afflictions that seem like they have nothing to do with the brain.”
Play is medicine. Play is prevention. Play is how you find joy again – not just as a parent, but as a person.
If I could offer one self-care tip this summer?
Find your play. And play more.
It’ll make parenting easier.
It’ll make you feel like you again.
Read Play Book Summary | Get the Book
And if you feel inspired, definitely check out Stuart Brown’s TED Talk!
🛠️ Parentotheca’s Toolbox: Reclaim Your Playful Self
Somewhere along the way, between bills, deadlines, and packed lunches… many of us lost touch with our playful side.
But that version of you – the one who laughed easily, got lost in the moment, and did things just for fun – they’re still in there.
Let’s bring them back.
Here’s how to start:
- Take Your Play History
What did you love doing as a kid? What made you lose track of time? Start there. Find adult versions that bring that same spark. - Expose Yourself to Play
Notice playful moments in your day. Jump into them. Kick a ball, skip, dance, race your child to the end of the street. - Give Yourself Permission
Be silly. Be a beginner. Be bad at it. That’s part of the fun. - Follow Fun (But Know It’s Not Always Easy)
Fun can be flowy, but it can also take effort. Climbing, hiking, building something – some play takes a bit of work before the joy kicks in. - Move!
Physical movement is one of the fastest ways to tap into joy. Motion is emotion in action. - Free Yourself of Fear
Ask yourself: what’s getting in the way of play? Judgement? Exhaustion? Fear of looking silly? What could help you feel safe to be playful again? - Nourish Your Mode of Play
Prioritise it. Practice it. And spend time with people who make it easy to play – not harder.
If you want more – check out my articles on play:
- Play Your Path to Happiness: The Ultimate Guide for Infusing Joy into Your Everyday Life
- Unlock Your Inner Child: What’s Your Play Personality?
- A Simple Trick to Instantly Transform Your Mood and Bring Out Your Playful Side
🆕 What’s New on Parentotheca
Here’s what dropped this month:
✅ New Book Summaries:
✅ New Articles:
- Your Child’s Mistakes Are Your Best Parenting Opportunities
- 3 Life-Changing Books That Will Make You a Better Parent (Even Though They’re Not Parenting Books)
🧭 Coach’s Corner: I’m Here to Help
Parenting can be the most meaningful and most demanding role you’ll ever take on.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
As a parent and life coach, I’m here to walk alongside you, helping you grow in confidence, skill, and clarity, so you can raise resilient, emotionally healthy kids and build the connected, joyful family you want.
I won’t just hand you generic advice. I’ll guide you step-by-step with a clear, personalised roadmap to transform your parenting, deepen your relationships, and support your child in developing the mindset and life skills they need to truly thrive.
Not sure if coaching is right for you?
Have a look at my Will you benefit from my coaching? checklist to see if it aligns with what you want and need as a parent.
✨ Bonus for newsletter subscribers: Get 50% off your first coaching session. Just reply to this email and I’ll send you a private booking link.
Let’s make this the turning point.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Parenting is hard. But don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better.
Talk soon,
Irina
