<p>Feeling exhausted postpartum but still want to connect with your older kids without burning yourself out even more? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Kim Van Dusen to talk about realistic ways to connect through play during postpartum and overwhelming seasons of motherhood — without adding more pressure.</p><p>We chat about…</p><ul><li><p>Easy low-energy play ideas for tired moms</p></li><li><p>Couch play and simple connection moments</p></li><li><p>Working through mom guilt and unrealistic expectations</p></li><li><p>How playful parenting can reduce tantrums and power struggles</p></li><li><p>Tiny ways to stay intentional when you’re touched out</p></li></ul><p>Play doesn’t have to mean hours of entertaining your kids. Listen in for practical, doable ideas for real life!</p><p>Grab your copy of Parenting through Play here: <a href="https://theparentologist.com/book/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://theparentologist.com/book/</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>RESOURCES:</strong></p><ul><li><br></li><li><ul><li><strong>Her website:</strong> <a href="https://theparentologist.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://theparentologist.com/</a></li><li><strong>The Parentologist Podcast:</strong> <a href="https://pod.link/1568620347" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://pod.link/1568620347</a></li><li><strong>IG:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theparentologist/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/theparentologist/</a></li><li><strong>Parenting through Play Book:</strong> <a href="https://theparentologist.com/book/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://theparentologist.com/book/</a></li></ul></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH US</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Follow us</strong> on <a href="https://instagram.com/goldengoosecreative" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> or <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@goldengoosecreative" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> @goldengoosecreative</li><li><strong>Need podcast support?</strong> <a href="/overview" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our services!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li><li><strong>Want to be a guest or have a topic in mind?</strong> <a href="https://www.goldengoosecreative.com/submissions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us a message!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>CHAPTERS</strong></p><p>00:00 Introducing Dr. Kim and why play matters more than you think</p><p>01:04 The parenting play myth hurting moms</p><p>04:00 Easy couch play ideas for exhausted parents</p><p>07:31 Creative parenting when nothing is working</p><p>09:21 Mom guilt, burnout, and self-care pressure</p><p>15:51 Emotional regulation tips that actually help</p><p>18:28 Micro self-care habits for overwhelmed moms</p><p>25:10 Playful parenting vs constant power struggles</p><p>30:33 Inside Dr. Kim’s Book Parenting through Play</p>