Shows
Where Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids TodaySlow Summer: The Benefits of Unplugging and Embracing BoredomIn this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with author, columnist, and mother of two Pam Lobley about planning a slow summer and teh benefits of embracing boredom.Lobley, a former actres and comedian discusses the pressure parents feel to keep their kids constantly busy—and what happens when we stop.She shares her personal story of parental burnout and the bold decision to give her children an “unstructured summer”—what she dubbed a “summer of rot.” What began as a break from overscheduling turned into a transformative experience for her family.
2025-06-2132 minWhere Parents Talk: Evidence-based Expert Advice on Raising Kids TodaySlow Summer: The Benefits of Unplugging and Embracing BoredomIn this episode of the Where Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks with author, columnist, and mother of two Pam Lobley about planning a slow summer and teh benefits of embracing boredom.Lobley, a former actres and comedian discusses the pressure parents feel to keep their kids constantly busy—and what happens when we stop.She shares her personal story of parental burnout and the bold decision to give her children an “unstructured summer”—what she dubbed a “summer of rot.” What began as a break from overscheduling turned into a transformative experience for her family.
2025-06-2132 min
Helping Families Be Happy100 Days of Learning: Making School Milestones Meaningful with Pam LobleyIn this episode of "Helping Families Be Happy," host Adina Oberman welcomes guest Pam Lobley to discuss her memoir, "Why Can't We Just Play." Pam shares her experience of letting her overscheduled children have a summer of unstructured play and the positive impacts it had on their stress levels and family life. The episode also explores the importance of unstructured time for children’s development and the challenges of balancing scheduled activities. Additionally, Adina and Pam discuss creative and meaningful ways to celebrate the 100th day of school, focusing on giving back and making learning fun for children.
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2025-02-2617 min
The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast1KHO 406: When Kids Are Too Busy for Childhood | Pam Lobley, Why Can't We Just Play?The incredibly popular guest Pam Lobley joins The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast with Ginny Yurich for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about the pressures modern kids face and the alarming loss of childhood play. Drawing from her heartfelt writing and upcoming book, Pam unpacks how over-scheduled lives and parental peer pressure rob children of the freedom to explore, take risks, and truly play. Together, they discuss letting go, savoring parenting’s bittersweet moments, and how prioritizing play can transform family life. This episode will inspire you to slow down, reflect, and create a childhood your kids won’t have to reco...
2024-12-3142 minHelping Families Be HappyThe Freedom of Play: A Guide to Unstructured Summers with Pam LobleyIn this engaging episode of Helping Families Be Happy, host Adina Oberman taps into the wisdom of writer and memoirist Pam Lobley to tackle the challenges of modern family schedules and the lost art of free play. Pam shares insights from her own experiences of letting her children enjoy a summer free of scheduled activities, diving into the benefits and hurdles of unstructured playtime. The episode serves as a reminder of the value of simplicity in our fast-paced world, emphasizing the importance of fostering creativity and imagination in children through the power of play.
Episode Highlights:
2024-07-0321 min
The Hamilton ReviewPam Lobley: "Why Can't We Just Play" Part 2This week on The Hamilton Review Podcast, we are very happy to welcome author Pam Lobley BACK to the show! Pam's first appearance on The Hamilton Review was episode 211 in May of 2023, and you can check out that conversation HERE. Pam is the author of the book, "Why Can't We Just Play? What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too Busy." In this episode, Pam and Dr. Bob pick up where they left off in the last conversation and take a deeper dive into the importance of allowing children to be bored. They also...
2023-08-2940 min
Why is Everyone Yelling?Episode 146: Pam Lobley – Why Can’t We Just Play?
Pam Lobley is the author of the book Why Can’t We Just Play? What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too Busy, a memoir of the summer I spent letting my two sons take time off from all their scheduled activities and JUST play.
She is also the co-author of the book You Definitely Know You’re a Mom When … a charming gift book for moms of young children.
Pam has also written plays, comedy sketch shows and columns on various news outlets including, The New York Times, The Bergen Record, Philadel...
2023-08-151h 00
Your Child is Normal: with Dr Jessica HochmanEp 97: The Benefits of Free Range Kids, with Pam Lobley, author of "Why Can't We Just Play"Send us a textThis weeks Ask Dr Jessica conversation features Pam Lobley, author of "Why Can't We Just Play". The podcast discusses her book and her experience as a writer and parent. Her book revolves around the idea of giving her children a summer without any scheduled activities to allow them more time for unstructured play and exploration, embracing a more relaxed approach to childhood.She discusses the positive impact this decision had on her family and her own life. The conversation highlights the benefits unstructured play time has on children and the family u...
2023-07-3131 min
Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting TeenagersEp 247: The Surprising Benefits of an Idle SummerPam Lobley, author of Why Can’t We Just Play?, tells the story of how she got her family’s summer schedule under control and created a stronger bond with her kids by embracing the notion of “doing nothing.” Full Show NotesIn today's fast-paced world, the life of a teenager often mirrors the hustle and bustle of adulthood. With a calendar filled to the brim with school, extracurricular activities, and social commitments, the notion of "free time" seems like a relic of the past. But what if the secret to balance, happiness, and creativit...
2023-06-2524 minThe Hamilton ReviewA Conversation with Pam Lobley, Author of "Why Can't We Just Play?"We are happy to welcome Pam Lobley to The Hamilton Review Podcast! Pam is the author of the book, Why Can't We Just Play? What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too Busy. Friends, this is a must listen conversation for parents, especially as we approach the summer season! Pam Lobley is a comedic writer of plays, columns and books. Her columns have appeared in many newspapers and websites. Her memoir, Why Can't We Just Play? What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too Busy, (Familius) details the year sh...
2023-05-3042 minThe 1000 Hours Outside Podcast1KHO 139: To Be a Mother is to Have Self-Doubt | Pam Lobley February Book Club PodcastPam is back!!!! She's back!!!!!Pam Lobley is a beloved guest on the 1000 Hours Outside Podcast. Her episode called "We've Forgotten How to Have an Ordinary Time" (episode #60) has been a most-listened-to episode for months in the running. In our February Book Club Pam dives into so many pertinent topics. We explore the reasons why motherhood has ramped up over the last few decades, attributing it mainly to the idea that we want to control everything and avoid taking risks. Pam points out that this fear only feeds itself, making it difficult for mothers to tr...
2023-04-0847 min
The Family Balancing ActEP 120: Releasing, Accepting, & Receiving All of Life’s LossesLoss is a part of living and being fully human. From small losses to life-changing losses. What brings you back into your body, breath, and balance when you experience the loss of what you knew to be the norm? Be it the loss of life, quality of life, aging parents, children, relationships, family connections, friends, places, home, job, or health. Releasing into acceptance, and the lesson of receiving with grace. In episode #120 of The Family Balancing Act, you will meet my returning guest, Pam Lobley! Pam is a brilliant comedic writer of plays, columns, and books. Her columns have appeared...
2023-02-2154 minThe Family Balancing ActEP110: Surviving and Thriving during the Holidays Because Life is Always Happening!A mom’s guide to surviving the holidays with Maureen Huntley and her guest, Pam Lobley, author of Can’t We Just Play. Take a breath and exhale as Pam and I delve into surviving and thriving during the holiday season! Phew! Bring it! 💥Grab your free copy of Stress-LESS Healthy Holiday The Busy Mom’s Guide to Surviving the Holiday Season at www.MaureenHuntley.com and sign up for The Family Balancing Act Newsletter. It’s once a month, short and sweet with loads of links to information that can support your family balancing act!
2022-12-0854 min
Born of WonderS4:5 EP47: On Self RelianceKatie recently experienced a nearly week-long power outage and it got her thinking about Self Reliance and Self Sufficiency. What are these virtues, how do we acquire them? What is mental Self Reliance (a la Emerson), physical self reliance (does it require a bunker and a large farm?). She’ll also question the limits of self-sufficiency and how we’re all in a cycle of need… Who do we need, who needs us? And have we put our trust in the right things, people, entities, etc.? Big questions for you this week.
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2022-07-1926 minThe 1000 Hours Outside Podcast1KHO 60: We Have Forgotten How to Have an Ordinary Time | Pam Lobley, Why Can't We Just Play | The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, S3 E33I laughed and snorted and cried and reflected through the entirely of Pam Lobley's book, Why Can't We Just Play - What I did When I Realized My Kids Were Too Busy This podcast episode has it all. We walk through all the familiar feelings of motherhood and parenting - lonliness, hollowness, fear, pressure, competitiveness, guilt, nervousness but above all love. Pam reminds us, in a comical way that I've rarlely seen in parenting books, that we don't get these years back. Eras end. So how can we step off the engine train of...
2022-07-141h 01
Energetic Radio#257: Pam Lobley | Why Can't We Just Play?Humor writer Pam Lobley realised she was not enjoying motherhood. It was too busy, too stressful - where was the joy? She gave her over-scheduled kids the summer "off" from activities and they all discovered the power of play to change their lives. Yes, parenting is hard, but it should also be fun. This is such a wonderful chat that not only parents will benefit from. You can find Pam and connect with her below:https://www.pamlobley.com/https://www.instagram.com/pamlobley/?hl=en
2022-05-2932 min
The Holi LifeEP87-The Secret to Happier Moms and Kids.Sunit interviews the author of "Why Cant We Just Play? What I did when I realized my kids were too busy", Pam Lobley. Pam is a regular contributor to online publications such as the Huffington post, and an experienced mom who realized earlier on that motherhood wasn't as "fun" as she thought it would be when their various activities and commitments began to feel like a chore. She talks about how she made this realization and what she did to begin to change the idea of "play" in their home. Sunit and Pam talk about why parents these days...
2018-12-1153 min
PediaCast: Pediatric Podcasts for ParentsThe Do Nothing Summer - PediaCast 382Pam Lobley joins Dr Mike on PediaCast. She is author of the book Why Can’t We just Play: What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too Busy. We discuss the benefits, logistics and impact of pulling back and unplugging from an overly-scheduled family life. We hope you can join us!
2017-07-2646 min
We Choose Respect PodcastWe Choose Respect ParentCast Starring Richard Lynch & Pam LobleyNot sure if I should call this episode "Why Can't We Just Play?" in honor of our guest Pam Lobley's wonderful book, or if I should call it "Oh boy can that guy play" in honor of our guest Richard Lynch's amazing talents. Either way, this is sure to be an episode of the We Choose Respect ParentCast that you don't want to miss!!! And if that is not enough you will also hear about my great tour of the South with my daughter Alejandra and my Italian daughter Chiara!!! Be sure to check out Richard Lynch's...
2016-08-2951 min
We Choose Respect PodcastWhy Can't We Just Play - We Choose Respect ParentCast Starring Eddy Mann & Pam LobleyTwo great guests join us on the We Choose Respect ParentCast today. Our featured guest is Eddy Mann. Eddy is a musician, songwriter, worship leader, teacher, speaker, coach, husband, and father... whether you know him as one or more of these people, you know his heart; you know his love for life. Though his past has been playful and colorful at times, it also has been constant in its vision. It's always been a vision of hope, peace and understanding through the eyes of a loving heart. Find Great Music @ www.eddymann.com ...
2016-08-1553 min
Free Audiobook: Giving You a Laugh While You Walk the Path | Self Development, Motivation & InspirationWhy Can't We Just Play? by Pam Lobley | AudiobookListen to full audiobooks for free on :https://hotaudiobook.com/freeTitle: Why Can't We Just Play?Author: Pam LobleyNarrator: AJ FerraroFormat: UnabridgedLength: 4 hrs and 45 minsLanguage: EnglishRelease date: 05-30-16Publisher: FamiliusGenres: Self Development, ParentingSummary:Facing summer with her two boys, ages 10 and seven, Pam Lobley was sifting through signups for swim team, rec camp, night camp, scout camp, and enrichment classes. Overwhelmed at the choices, she asked her sons what they wanted to do during summer: "Soccer? Zoo...
2016-05-304h 45