“C’mon, Mom! It’ll be fun!” My daughter tugged my arm toward the roller coaster. But I just couldn’t do it. I used to go on coasters all the time as a kid. But these days, rides made me dizzy. And she didn’t understand. To my daughter, I just looked like a really un-fun mom. And it made me sad. But the truth is, we aren’t always going to be fun in the eyes of our kids. Maybe you don’t like playing pretend or being crafty. That’s OK! You’re a great mom whether you see yourself as fun or not.
Being a fun mom all the time just isn’t realistic. Being a parent takes a lot of work, which requires attention and focus. But sometimes, having a little fun doesn’t take too much effort. Here are 8 easy ways you can be a fun mom.
1. Seek out adventure.
Look for ways to shake up your normal routine with something different. Instead of driving to a friend’s house or to the library, maybe you and your child can ride bikes. Yes, it’ll take a bit longer to get there, but it’ll be an adventure because the view along the way will be different from a bike. You can also look for adventure by seeking out new parks or museums to explore. Anything new can be considered adventurous and fun!
2. Introduce the unexpected.
What could you do to surprise your kids? Maybe an outdoor picnic for dinner would work. Or you could suggest a “Yes Day” if you think you could handle it! Even little things like waking your kids up for school with music, taking them for ice cream on a random Tuesday, or listening to an audiobook as a family at bedtime can spice things up.
3. Relax the rules.
Want a quick path to fun mom status? Break out of your usual routine—make bedtime a little later, go a little bigger and bolder on dessert options, announce a “no more chores!” day and play games with your kids instead.
If you have a hard time saying yes when it involves relaxing the rules, check out this episode of the iMOM Podcast, “Mom, I’m Going to Microwave My Underwear.”
4. Worry less. Laugh more.
Taking things too seriously can make an iffy moment (like your kid stumbling) into a tense one. But having some more lightheartedness can lift the moment into no-big-deal territory (“Whoops! There you go!”). Putting a little more fun into your day can be as simple as being easier on yourself and them. Once, as a kid, I pointed out to my mom that she had a noodle stuck to her face. But instead of wiping it away all serious-like, she repositioned and flaunted it: “How does it look? Good?” We laughed. And it’ll always be a good memory. The trick is to let embarrassment go and to teach your kids to do the same. Life is a lot more fun when we worry less and laugh more.
5. Let them be silly.
Sometimes silliness can go too far. We all know that. But usually, a little silliness is not all bad and the laughter it can provoke can be well worth it. Yes, sticking a spoon on his nose at dinner can be a little inappropriate. But if it’s your son being just a little silly and you’re having a lowkey meal? Shrug. Allowing a little room for goofiness can be fun. And if you hang a spoon on your nose too? Good for you, Mom! Every so often, it can be really fun to be silly with your kids.
6. Play with them.
If this isn’t your idea of fun, no worries. Set a timer for about 15 minutes and let your child know that when it goes off, you’re going to do something else. But during that time, give your child your full attention. If your kid is little, sit on the floor with him and build something out of LEGOs. If he loves sports, head outside for a game of Wiffle ball. If you have older kids, play video games together or spend a little time watching funny videos.
7. Outsource to others.
You don’t have to be the primary provider of fun in your kids’ lives. You can take them to events at the library, to a movie, or to hang out with other families. It’s also OK for our kids to see that we can’t always be their source of fun. When we’re busy with something else and they get a little bored, that’s all right. Boredom can turn into fun. It can give kids the chance to use their imaginations and be creative either on their own or with siblings.
8. Forget fear…at least for now.
Fear is the kryptonite of fun. Sure, we have to be reasonably cautious, but if fear shows up too much, it can stifle creativity, memory-making, and a good time. If you’re afraid to take your kids to the trampoline park or that playground with the really tall slide, I get it. I’ve been there too. We’re afraid our kids could get hurt. But we don’t want our own mom anxiety to rub off on them. Letting kids do some fun things that push the limits of our comfort zones on occasion, like climbing that tree in the back yard, can build their confidence. It may make you a little nervous, but it might be the type of fun your kid needs to build his courage, perseverance, and grit.
What are the ways you can be (or have been) a fun mom?
