In this episode of Intentional Motherhood: Parenting Tips to Deepen Family Relationships, While Preserving Your Personal Identity, Kelsey Redd, mental health counselor turned stay-at-home mom, walks you through step-by-step strategies to teach your kids how to play independently — even if they currently can’t entertain themselves for more than 30 seconds.

Independent play is not only crucial for your child’s emotional regulation, problem solving, creativity, and social-emotional growth — it’s also a lifeline for moms who feel constantly overwhelmed, overstimulated, and drained by the mental load of motherhood. When kids learn how to play independently, moms gain the freedom to rest, reset, pray, practice mindfulness, and parent with more presence and peace.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why independent play is a skill that can be taught (not something kids are just "naturally good at")
• The emotional, cognitive, and social benefits of independent play
• Practical tips to start small and build your child’s independent play stamina over time
• How to use toy rotations and curated invitations to play
• The importance of being present-but-not-involved during early stages of independent play
• How modeling your own mindfulness and contentment teaches your child to enjoy solitude
• Why boredom is a gift — and how it leads to true creativity
• How independent play prevents mom burnout and fosters intentional, peaceful parenting

🌿 This episode is perfect for moms who want to create a family culture rooted in mindfulness, spirituality, intentional parenting, and emotional resilience — while also reclaiming small pockets of rest and sanity in the beautiful, exhausting work of motherhood.

🎧 Tune in now to start teaching your children this life-changing skill — and give yourself the gift of margin, rest, and joy in motherhood.
Follow Kelsey @creating.intentional.mothers