When you master the art of roughhousing, you send a strong message to your children: Your power is welcome here, this is a place for you to be strong and confident, I will keep you safe, and we will be closer and more connected than ever.^[1]

Rough (but safe), boisterous physical play is a kind of Playlistening.  It is incredibly helpful to young people (and it’s good for us grown-ups too). DeBenedet and Cohen, who have written a lovely book which details the theory and practice of this kind of play, make a bold claim:

“Play – especially active physical play, like roughhousing – makes kids smart, emotionally intelligent, lovable and likable, ethical, physically fit, and joyful.”^[2]

What parent wouldn’t want that?
Continue reading →