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“We don’t stop playing because we grow old,
we grow old because we stop playing.”
--George Bernard Shaw
As a lover of companion animals, I recently purchased a book titled “50 Games to Play With Your Dog” by Suellen Dainty. She states in the introduction, “The dog is one of the few animals that plays into adulthood; usually baby animals play to learn survival skills—then, as they mature, turn those games toward the serious adult business of living in the wild.” She adds that a “healthy, properly stimulated dog will often play into old age.” Five of my six dogs are geriatric. I noticed that two of my oldest dogs, Bill, a golden retriever mix, age 11, and Emma, a blue heeler, age 10, both became much more active when a cocker spaniel puppy, Gabe, entered our lives a year ago. After romping with the puppy, they are happily exhausted.
 See side bar for information on Sharon's wonderful books for elementary-age children. There is a discounted price on the 5-book series that even includes a darling Nicholas puppet.
These books are "co-authored" by Sharon's beloved cocker spaniel Nicholas who shares true antics by him and his animal buddies to gently and lovingly present important living skills. Each book is filled with problem-solving exercises, delightful illustrations and easy-to-follow suggestions. His inquisitive childlike qualities make him the perfect guide on difficult and important subjects. See "The Nicholas Collection" at www.hrdpress.com/SharonScott .
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Once I read the book’s introduction, though, I began thinking about how we human animals are like most others in that most of us don’t play into adulthood. We turn our games into the serious adult business of survival—just as the book said most animals do. Once we finish our education, pursuing our career, paying bills, obtaining material possessions, rearing a family etc. dominate our lives. With all the stress and pressure of modern living, we probably have forgotten how fun play was—and how healthy it could be in reducing stress and providing us joy.
When our children are little, we play games with them: hide and seek, board games, playing catch and checkers to name a few. As they move into the teen years, if we allow it, they say they are too busy with friends to participate with us in family fun. Or they act bored by the planned events so we quit trying to introduce fun into family life. This shouldn’t happen—family fun should be done weekly until they leave home!
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In addition to the family playing together, parents should have some play in their lives. I don’t know what hobby you used to enjoy or what sport you gave up when you became a “serious” adult or what you’ve always wanted to do but never made the time, but I encourage you to have your play time too! Even though I lack rhythm and have no musical or dance background, I began ballroom dancing classes a few years ago. It’s been fun, challenging, relaxing and I’m proud to say I can do a mean cha cha cha!
Planning your play time is separate from the family fun as this one is just for you. Some of you are already feeling guilty even thinking about taking relaxing, fun time for yourself. Please realize that is not a healthy thought—put it out of your mind—you will be a better parent and spouse if you have energized yourself with fun time of your choosing. So begin now to daydream about what you can do to play. And as Nike says, “Just do it!”
Copyright © 2008, Sharon Scott. No reproduction without written permission from author.
P.S. Please see my other column, Counselor's Corner
Sharon Scott, LPC, LMFT, has been making a difference in peoples’ lives for 30 years though her international keynotes and workshops, her eight award-winning books, and her private counseling services. Five of her books are a charming series for elementary-age children that she “co-authored” with her savvy cocker spaniel Nicholas. Each beautifully illustrated book teaches a valuable living skill such as managing emotions in Life’s Not Always Fair, building character in Nicholas’ Values, and making wise choices in Too Smart for Trouble. Sharon’s best-seller for teens is How to Say No and Keep Your Friends, 2nd Ed. Her books are available from HRD Press, 800-822-2801 or www.hrdpress.com/SharonScott . For more information on Sharon’s many workshop topics that she can bring to your child’s school or community, please see her website at www.SharonScott.com.
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Sharon Scott, LPC, LMFT, is an internationally recognized family counselor with a private practice in north Texas. She is considered the leading expert on peer pressure having trained more than one million people across the U.S. and in Australia, Canada, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Malaysia, the Philippines, Turkey, and Micronesia in her proven techniques. For information on bringing Sharon to your community or school to present one of her 29 dynamic workshops for children, teens, parents, or educators, please see her website www.SharonScott.com .
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Listen to
Families Online Radio Interview with Sharon Scott
Books That Work!
By Sharon Scott
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Family counselor Sharon Scott is the author of 8 books including this delightful series for children that is "co-authored" by her savvy cocker spaniel Nicholas who makes learning valuable life skills fun.
 Too Smart for Trouble, a best-selling, award-winning book, teaches children to think on their own and how to say no when asked to do something wrong.
 Not Better... Not Worse... Just Different is must reading for children to learn to be more sensitive to others, avoid bullying and know how to handle teasing.
 Life's Not Always Fair is a child's guide for managing emotions and learning to soothe oneself when mad, sad, scared or confused.
Nicholas' Values is a delightful guide helping children develop good character traits such as honesty, confidence, sharing and so much more!
Too Cool for Drugs helps children learn why and how to say no to drugs--drug education must begin in the home at an early age!
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