How play transforms chaos
There was a stretch of mornings where my kids would wake up and immediately start barking orders:
"I want toast!"
"Where’s my cereal buffet style?"
"NOT that plate, I want the BIG one!"
It was like running a café for tiny dictators — and I was not enjoying it.
I could feel myself wanting to say all the things I'd heard myself:
“You need to ask nicely.”
“I’m not your servant.”
And — you know how this goes — it didn’t help.
So one morning, my husband tried something else.
In walked Julio the Waiter.
(Imagine a mix of Fawlty Towers meets full-on breakfast theatre.)
Julio wore an imaginary apron. He had a truly terrible French accent. He dramatically misunderstood orders and offered entirely the wrong things:
"A banana omelette, madam? Right away!"
"A spoon for your cereal? Non, we only serve cereal with forks."
The kids howled with laughter, so did I.
We got through breakfast with no one muttering under their breath, no talking back or bad moods — just laughter.
And here’s the thing — it didn’t just shift their mood. It shifted mine.
Because play works both ways. I was no longer stuck in frustration — I was laughing too. And I wasn’t just being silly for their sake — I was actually playing with my feeling of being treated like a servant… by exaggerating it. It gave me a release, too.
This is Attachment Play in action.
It’s a way to dissolve tension, reconnect, and give children the emotional space they need — while still holding limits and getting through real-life routines and the things we all need to do.
It’s exactly the kind of tool I teach in Attachment Play Magic.
And these playful tools go so much deeper than breakfast.
We cover:
→ Releasing birth trauma or stress through symbolic play
→ Cooperation without power struggles (getting dressed, brushing teeth...)
→ Preparing for new siblings, big transitions, and separation
→ Tackling habits like aggression, whining, clinginess or constant “NO”
→ Making everyday routines smoother and more connected
You can download the first module for free or find the full course here.
Play changed our mornings — and our family.
It can change yours too.