In this community, we’re not chasing “perfect family game night.” We’re building a repeatable connection ritual, a small moment where a child feels: I belong. I’m seen. I can try. I can mess up. I can come back. That’s the power of play: low stakes + high feedback. It gives kids (and us) a safe place to practice turn-taking, self-regulation, and repair, without the pressure of being “good at it.” Here’s the Connected Through Play Ritual: 1) Invitation (10 seconds) “Want to play one round with me?” Not “Let’s do game night.” Just one round. 2) Connection rule (one sentence) Pick one before you start: - “We cheer effort.” - “We try again.” - “We help without taking over.” - “We can pause if it’s too much.” 3) Repair line (when it gets spicy) “I’m with you. Do you want a reset, a hint, or a different game?” That question protects dignity and keeps the relationship intact. Mini-Challenge (tonight or this week): Try one round + one connection rule. Then come back and comment: What did your family need most, more laughter, more calm, or more cooperation? Bonus: Tell us which connection rule you chose.

I’m so glad you’re here. This community exists for parents and grandparents supporting children ages 3–11 who are longing for more connection without more pressure, guilt, or screen-time battles. If you’ve ever thought: “I know there’s a better way… I just need it to feel doable,” you’re in the right place. What this space is: Connected Through Play is about reconnecting through everyday moments, cooking together, playful conversation, shared tasks, simple games. Not as extras. But as the heart of learning and relationship. You don’t need special supplies. You don’t need to do everything “right.” You just need a little space to slow down and play. A bit about me I come to this work as a single mom who homeschooled two children, weaving play into daily life so learning felt natural, not forced. I’m also a learning engineer and gamification strategist, which means I design connection the way humans actually learn through joy, rhythm, and relationship. You’ll also occasionally see gentle ideas for using AI as a support never to replace connection, but to spark creativity and make things feel lighter. How to use this community There’s no pressure to keep up. Jump into what feels helpful. Try one small thing. Share if you want. Lurk if you need. A beautiful place to begin is with the latest Play Prompt something simple you can try today or this week. One gentle invitation Introduce yourself in the comments if you’d like: - Who you’re here for (parent, grandparent, caregiver) - The ages of the children in your life - One word you’d love to feel more often with them I’m really glad you’re here. Let’s reconnect one small, playful moment at a time. 💜

I ran across this clip from congress where a former teacher, now neuroscientist, talks about some of the downsides to too much screen time. As with any challenge, it’s never black or white. What do you think? What are your concerns regarding the children in your life and screen time? When or how is screen time effective? I’d love your thoughts and tips. More to come. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd-_VDYit3U