Blog by Rebecca Winwood, Head of Participation (and mother of 2)
Being a parent to young children is not for the faint hearted. Sleepless nights, early rises and the need for constant engagement can be exhausting for even the most robust of humans.
As a young mum I took refuge in a variety of baby/toddler classes- sensory play, messy play, soft play all to help keep myself (and my children) sane. While I met a lot of other lovely mums there, I can’t say that I found the experience terribly engaging for myself. But many will say, ‘But it’s not for you’! However, I would argue that finding engaging activities for parents is just as important as those for their children.
This was the main premise behind the creation of our Dinky Disco. An outlet for parents who missed the joy of dancing in nightclubs because of the pressures of raising small children. These events create nostalgic moments for parents (and grandparents) with monthly themes such as old skool garage, new wave and 90s house music all played by our resident DJ Cocoa Creole. Hula hoops, bubble machines, glow sticks and a variety of facilitated dance games mean pre-schoolers can let loose as well. Oh, and we have an open bar too (with bottomless blackcurrant squash). It truly is a daytime dance party with a difference.
On the success of this we decided to launch another monthly event called Mini Make Believe; an early years drama session which harnesses children’s secret super power, their wild and wacky imaginations. But parents aren’t off the hook. They are also participants in the session, playing alongside their children to build imaginary castles, tame dragons, stir a witches brew and swim with dolphins (among many other things!). Some parents are eager to get stuck in, while some may be slightly hesitant. However, one thing is for certain: all the children love seeing their adults getting involved, being creative, being silly and being together.
Engaging in children’s imaginative play helps to bond on a deeper level as it shows children that you respect their ideas and give them the opportunity to take the lead. Playing together in this way is also a welcome escape from the stresses of parenting; allowing you to laugh, be silly and re-discover the joys of unstructured creativity.
Parenting is a constant balancing act—between work and home, structure and play, and your needs versus your child’s. One of the best ways to bridge the gap and build lasting connections is to engage in activities that are enjoyable for both parents and children. These shared moments create laughter, strengthen bonds, and make parenting feel a little lighter and a lot more fun.
Why not try it out? We’d love to see you at one of our upcoming Dinky Disco or Mini Make Believe events!
