Mia Wisinski, being. with Lael Stone | Play for all Ages ♥︎

In this joyful, giggly and wise conversation, I sit down with Mia Wisinski, founder of Playful Heart Parenting, and a mum who will happily make a car seat buckle fart if it means getting a toddler in their car seat. I've been calling Mia the queen of play for a while now... so I was surprised to hear she didn't come to mothering as a playful parent at all. She became a stepmum first, suddenly and unexpectedly, and felt she had to earn her place by being the best, most together, most perfect version of herself. It took years to loosen her grip and find her way back to the goofy theatre kid who used to roll around on the floor making whale sounds. We talk honestly about the days when play is the last thing in the tank, when you're running late and you can feel the "three, two, one" rising in your throat. Mia shares how she catches herself in that millisecond, and why it's always ok when she can't. We explore: The tender pull of step-parenting, being asked to love them as your own without overstepping How our own childhood imprints shape whether being silly feels safe When to put the playfulness down, and why attunement always comes first Mia's favourite games for little ones, kids and tweens Flirting with your partner through your kid, and playfulness as a love language What felt so beautiful to me was Mia's belief that laughter is how we tell each other we're safe. A fart noise. A "who are you, and what have you done with my son?" at bedtime. Silly messages carried between mum and dad over the toothbrushes. Each one says the same thing to a child... you can be your full, weird self here. And I reckon that might be one of the most loving imprints we can leave. [Recorded Online May 2026] About Mia Wisinski: Mia Wisinski is the US-based founder of Playful Heart Parenting, a community of over half a million parents on Instagram. A former theatre educator, performer and songwriter with a BFA in Musical Theatre from California State University, she makes play feel doable for ordinary parents in the middle of ordinary, overwhelming days. She's a mum of two and a stepmum, and grew up the child of two eccentric musical theatre hippies, which explains a lot (in the best way). Connect with Mia: Instagram: @playfulheartparenting Web: playfulheartparenting.com — Seen Circles is an online space Lael and Sam created where parents can join facilitated group sessions, some themed, some open, at times that suit their week. There's no pressure to share, just a place to feel less alone in the hard parts of parenting. You can join for one session, or sign up for more.