Every parent knows the dizzying pace of modern family life, full of school schedules, sports practices, endless extracurriculars. But what happens when you hit the brakes and let kids do…well, nothing structured at all? That’s the question Pam Lobley explores in her charming and insightful memoir Why Can’t We Just Play?, and her answer is both refreshing and reassuring.
The book follows Lobley’s decision to give her two sons a summer free from the usual flurry of camps and organized activities. Instead of shuttling them from one event to the next, she chose a season of wide-open days—where the boys could fill their time with simple play, imagination, and good old-fashioned boredom. Through her funny, thoughtful storytelling, she captures the small moments of discovery that came from slowing down and reconnecting as a family.
Why Can’t We Just Play by Pam Lobley
If you’ve ever looked at your family calendar and thought, How did life get this busy?, you’ll instantly connect with Pam Lobley’s Why Can’t We Just Play?. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh, nod along, and maybe even breathe a little sigh of relief.
The story is simple but powerful: Lobley decided to give her kids a summer without camps, sports, or structured activities. Instead of running from one thing to the next, her boys spent their days at home, inventing games, reading, hanging out, and—gasp—being bored. What unfolds is a funny, thoughtful look at what happens when kids (and parents) step off the hamster wheel of overscheduling.
My Thoughts
What I loved most is Lobley’s humor and honesty. She doesn’t paint herself as the perfect mom with all the answers. She admits to second-guessing, to moments of chaos, and to wondering if she was doing the right thing. That vulnerability makes the book so refreshing—you feel like you’re hearing from a friend who “gets it.” And in between the laughs, she slips in these little truths about family, parenting, and how fast childhood really goes.
This book isn’t a lecture or a guilt trip. It’s more like a gentle reminder that kids don’t need constant enrichment—they need time to just be. By the end, I found myself wishing for a little more of that wide-open space in my own life, too.
If you’re a parent who’s ever questioned the madness of jam-packed schedules (or just want a smart, funny read about family life), Why Can’t We Just Play? is worth picking up. It’s light, heartfelt, and it might just inspire you to reclaim a little unstructured time for yourself and your kids.
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