What is parallel play?
It’s a form of play consisting of children playing alongside one another, engaging in individual tasks or activities, without direct interaction or involvement of others. Typically, children are within close proximity of one another but not playing with each other.
You may be wondering what this looks like in adults and why this is beneficial to us perimenopausal women.
Parallel play in adulthood is not as easy to identify as solitary play however, it is just as significant. Some examples include:
~cooking while your partner or spouse is having a conversation with you
~strength training while a buddy is performing yoga
~reading a book in the same room with a friend while sharing a bottle of wine on the couch
~working on a puzzle while your sister (or better yet, your daughter) writes in her journal
When we engage in parallel play, our feelings of isolation can be reduced or eliminated altogether and a sense of connection can form. We can enjoy the presence of others while still pursuing individual interests and maintaining our sense of self. It can create bonding opportunities over activities we don’t necessarily share or participate in. And, it’s a great way to be with others without the pressure of engagement or conversation. This allows us to excuse ourselves from the situation should our fluctuating hormonal moods decide to kick in overdrive and we need to leave. Stat.
Overall, adults who incorporate parallel play into their routines can develop stronger social abilities, improve social connections, and increase self-regulation skills, all at a comfortable pace. This is especially helpful if you are an introvert or you are trying to manage your unpredictable peri symptoms.
Know that there are an abundance of ways to engage in parallel play, we just have to be open to discovering them and then, participating.
The next time a friend, partner, or child asks you to engage in something you’re not interested in, challenge yourself by offering an alternative or suggest an activity that paves the way for parallel play. You may realize this is your favorite way to spend with others… And you should’ve been doing it a long time ago!