Is This Supposed to Be More Fun?
Do us a solid! Take our listener survey at bit.ly/whatfreshhellsurvey.\nWhen parenting feels like all work and no play, we may resignedly think "Well, that's the way it's supposed to be." But if you feel like parenting is more draining than fulfilling, there are ways to bring more presence, joy, and fun into the mix.\nAmy and Margaret discuss:\n\nwhy having fun as a family usually means doing what kids think is fun, which is not the same as US having fun\n\nwhat psychologists say is required in order to have fun- and why those same things can be in short supply in our lives as parents\n\nthe role of "flow" in fun, and whether eight hours of video games might start to have diminishing returns\n\n\nSometimes parenting isn't fun. The reasons for that aren't our fault, and losing the guilt that it's not all more fun can really help. On the other hand, if it's never fun, there might be some rearrangements of our family life that can occur... and we've got ideas on how to start.\nLinks!\n\nJennifer Senior: All Joy And No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood\n\n\nDaniel Gilbert: Stumbling on Happiness\n\n\nMikhail Csikszentmihalyi: Flow\n\n\nArlie Hochschild: The Second Shift\n\n\n\nSpecial thanks to our sponsors for this month:\nFor trusted protection, choose Pampers, the #1 Pediatrician Recommended Brand. Download the Pampers Club App today to start earning rewards with every diaper & wipes purchase.\nThis episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at\xa0betterhelp.com/fresh\xa0and get on your way to being your best self.\u201d\nFor gifts of all kinds, Etsy has it. Use code MERRY10 at checkout for 10% off your first purchase at etsy.com.\nFind a new fall favorite for your wardrobe with Faherty. Head to fahertybrand.com/wfh and use code WFH at checkout for 20% off.\nGladskin is clinically proven skincare for people of all ages with eczema, acne, and rosacea. Get 15% off plus free shipping at gladskin.com/FRESH.\nHoneylove shapewear is the secret sauce you need for your everyday wardrobe. Get 20% off at honeylove.com with the code FRESH.\nGive Awesome this holiday with KiwiCo! Get your first month FREE on ANY crate line at kiwico.com/motherhood.\nIndeed is the only job site where you're guaranteed to find quality applicants that meet your must-have requirements--or else you don't pay! Visit indeed.com/LAUGHING to start hiring now.\nRakuten is an online shopping platform that gives you Cash Back when you shop at thousands of merchants. Start shopping at rakuten.com or get the Rakuten app to start saving today.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices