Get silly! The mental load and how to embrace mum life through play
A bit of silly play could be just what you need to ease the motherhood mental load.
Parenting isn’t a 9–5 job- it’s a 24/7 gig. There’s no off switch, no clocking out, and definitely no neat “tomorrow pile.” So why are so many parents reluctant to say it’s their full-time job?
Parent educator and mum of four, Gen Muir from Connected Parenting, knows the pressure all too well.
“We’re constantly trying to get it right,” she says. “And that mental load – the invisible checklist that never ends – can be exhausting.”
What is the mental load?
Beyond the physical tasks of parenting, there’s the relentless mental chatter: who needs what, what’s coming up next, what might go wrong, and how you’re going to fix it. While dads today are more hands-on than ever, studies (and lived experience) show that mums often carry the heavier emotional load.
This is partly biological – higher oestrogen levels mean many mums are hardwired to keep tabs on everyone’s wellbeing. It’s why so many of us feel like our brains are constantly bouncing between a hundred tabs open at once.
Make time to play
The good news? There’s a way to make it easier – and more fun.
The ‘5 a Day of Play’ guide, created by Gen in partnership with Babylove nappies, is a brilliant tool that cuts through the overwhelming stream of online parenting advice. It reminds parents that if you’ve done just one playful thing with your child that day, you’ve already done something incredible for their emotional and brain development.
That could be as simple as blowing kisses to your toddler while you cook dinner, or pausing for 10 minutes of silly dancing in the lounge room. It doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to be present.
The 5 core play concepts
1. Messy World Play: Embrace chaos, explore, get messy, take chances. Discover how mess fosters kids’ sensory growth.
2. Me and You Play: Just 10 mins makes a difference. Dive into presence to nurture kids emotional safety through play.
3. Rough and Tumble Play: Rough and tumble play builds more than just muscles – it hones balance, coordination and social skills too.
4. In It To Win It Play: Healthy competition helps to fuel creativity, critical thinking and self esteem.
5. Let’s Get Silly Play: Laughter is parenting’s secret weapon. Turn bad days into good and reset in a moment just by being silly.
A new way to play (and reset)
Research from Amazon Alexa reveals nearly half of Aussie parents (47%) feel like they’ve forgotten how to be silly — even though 81% say being silly makes them feel more connected to their kids.
That’s where “Alexa, Let’s Get Silly” comes in. Simply say the phrase to any Amazon Echo device and let the laughter begin. You’ll unlock four interactive experiences – from a Silly Dance Party to quirky sound quizzes -that help bring joy and connection into even the busiest parts of your day.
“Parenting today is tough. From my experience as a parent, humour, laughter and being silly are among the most underrated parenting strategies. When a day is stuck, or the kids aren’t listening, even a minute of silly fun can be a lifeline for resetting the mood. Our children feel more connected to us, cooperation increases, endorphins are released, and cortisol levels drop,” says Gen.
“If getting ready for the day is a challenge or your evenings are swallowed by chores, ‘Alexa, Let’s Get Silly’ is the effortless fun generator for when you’re frazzled and fresh ideas have left the building. I guarantee any fart joke will be a hit – as will a spontaneous getting-dressed dance party.”
Gen’s top tips for keeping play simple:
- Embrace micro-moments – Even 10 minutes of play counts.
- Make chores playful – Try Alexa’s Silly Dance Party while folding laundry.
- Let kids lead – Follow their giggles.
- Lower the bar – Imperfect, silly fun still does wonders.
- Focus on connection – It’s not about what you do, but how you make them feel.
