Marriage and Play

One of the best things you can do to strengthen your marriage today is to play with each other. It doesn't have to be anything formal but it should be something entirely frivolous and unexpected, if possible.

Serious spouses forget how to play. They think playing is childish. But a sense of play enhances well-being whether you are in a marriage relationship or not. I’m not talking about intimate *sexual* games, unless that is what you want, but about simple child-like play. Do you remember how fascinated you were to wade through creeks, pick up shiny rocks, skip them across the pond? Spending hours creating something cool with plastic Lego blocks or clay?

Adults hesitate to engage in child-like play. They erroneously believe that play should be adult-like. Or that their efforts should produce something, art or craft or a home improvement project. While all those are great, every once in a while, letting your inner child come out to play can be a powerful bonding experience to enhance your marriage. Allowing yourselves to play like children relieves you of stress and, temporarily, responsibilities. Here are some ideas:

*Do a crossword puzzle together.
*Practice your reflexes (remember that old hand slap game you played as a kid?) It's still good for adults to quicken their reflexes.
*Pick up a game that men tend to like (Jenga, Legos) and watch him turn into a kid again.
*Blow up a balloon, tie the end and kick it back and forth using only your legs. It's great leg exercise and he doesn't have to get off the couch to play.
*Set up a dart board.
*Set up a Nerf basketball hoop in the house.
*Create something with homemade clay dough.
*Set up cups, bring out the clubs and golf balls. Play indoor golf. Let him set up the course.
*Go to the animal shelter and ask to play with a dog of your choice. Even if you don’t adopt it, you’ll have fun playing with it while giving the poor dog time out from the cage for a while.
*Buy a puzzle or brain game book and do a page together in bed every night.
*Buy your spouse’s favorite childhood toy or game, present it and play with it. Nostalgia brings back good memories.

We underestimate the power of play. If we didn't love to play, sports wouldn't be as popular as they are. I promise you that if you play more, it will have a positive effect on your marriage.