Why You Find It So Hard To Play, And What To Do About It

Why You Find It So Hard To Play, And What To Do About It

From Motherkind by Zoe Blaskey

April 6, 2026 · 12 min

About this episode

Zoe Blaskey discusses the importance of playfulness in motherhood with expert Emma Worrollo, highlighting its role in resilience and emotional well-being.

What if the thing you feel you have least time for… is actually the thing that would help you cope the most? In this powerful Motherkind Moment, Zoe is joined by play expert Emma Worrollo, who makes a compelling and surprising case for why playfulness isn’t frivolous, it’s foundational. Because when you’re carrying the mental load, juggling work, and just trying to get through the day, “have more fun” can feel like the most unrealistic advice in the world. But this isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. Emma explains why playfulness isn’t about being silly, extroverted, or endlessly positive. It’s something far more powerful - a deeply human skill that helps us become more resilient, more flexible, and better at navigating the challenges of motherhood. In this conversation, you’ll learn why so many of us feel like we’ve “forgotten how to play”, why that’s completely normal, and how to bring small moments of lightness back into even the busiest days. Because play isn’t just for children. It’s for you, too. . Why playfulness is directly linked to resilience, problem-solving and emotional well-being . The difference between play and playfulness (and why this changes everything)…

People in this episode

Host: Zoe Blaskey

Guest: Emma Worrollo

Topics covered

  • playfulness
  • motherhood
  • resilience
  • emotional well-being
  • parenting

Keywords

  • play
  • motherhood
  • resilience
  • emotional well-being
  • parenting
  • playfulness
  • mental load

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