Reasons for Role Play

As the old adage goes; you don’t know what you don’t know. While this could not be more true for both marriage and having kids, its amazing how naivety can lead to revelation when it comes to the day to day caring of your kids.

Enter Role Play

No, not that kind of role play

The kind where you switch roles with your spouse. Take the kids for an entire evening, or weekend and let your spouse have some personal time. And don’t just fill the time with fun stuff either (which will be tempting), really fulfill the role, do the fun and the chores. Here are three reasons you shouldn’t wait to do it.

Develop a healthy appreciation
It’s easy to know something in concept, it’s another thing entirely to experience it. Chances are you know all that your spouse does, you likely hear about it every night, but the experience breeds an entire different level of empathy. You being to appreciate the little things.

Connect with your kids
Being the only parent is an entirely different level of engagement than you kids. When you have them to yourself don’t waste the chance to engage with them more intentionally. You will have their more focused attention, don’t distract them with entertainment, use it as a chance to talk to them and give them much needed quality time that is all about them. You will be surprised what you will learn about them.

Give your spouse a break
Your spouse deserves a break from the routine. She has the kids all day, she needs the opportunity to have a change of pace and perspective. Whether it is relaxation, investing time in a hobby or fulfilling a goal, time to herself is critical to her personal growth and health. She needs time to recharge the batteries just like you.