Play Isn’t a To-Do — It’s the Thing That Makes Everything Else Work, with Dr. Kim Van Dusen
The Parenting ReframeShow Notes
Does play feel like one more thing you don’t have time for? This episode will change that. Parenting coach Albiona Rakipi sits down with Dr. Kim Van Dusen — registered play therapist and author of Parenting Through Play — to break down what play actually is, why it reduces defiance and meltdowns, and how even the most non-playful parent can use it starting today.
Dr. Kim shares the research behind why play-based parenting leads to better behavior, how to use play during the hardest transitions (bedtime, morning routines, mealtime, and getting out the door), why independent play is critical for children’s mental health, and practical strategies for the exhausted, overwhelmed parent who has nothing left to give.
If you’re dealing with power struggles, tantrums, or a child who won’t listen — and you’re tired of it — this conversation is going to give you a completely different place to start.
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