What if one of the most effective parenting tools isn’t another consequence or reward, but play?

Ginny is joined by Dr. Kim Van Dusen, licensed marriage and family therapist, registered play therapist, and author of Parenting Through Play, to explore how play can transform challenging behavior, strengthen connection, and bring more peace into family life. Dr. Kim explains why play is a child’s natural language and shares simple ways parents can use it to diffuse power struggles, ease transitions, and encourage cooperation without abandoning healthy boundaries.

They also discuss the importance of decompression time, why saying “yes” more often can reduce conflict, and how parents can recognize when they’re over-parenting and give kids more opportunities to build independence and confidence. Dr. Kim offers practical strategies for helping parents regulate themselves, making mealtimes and picky eating more playful, and continuing to connect through play as children grow into tweens and teens.

This conversation is a refreshing reminder that parenting doesn’t always have to become more serious when things get difficult. Sometimes, adding a little play is exactly what changes everything.

Grab Dr. Van Dusen's book here!

Learn more abou her work here!

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