1KHO 791: Play Is the Untold Hero | Dr. Deborah McNamara, Rest, Play Grow
5/7/202655 min
Something is going wrong in childhood, and most of us can feel it. We’re rushing kids forward and wondering why they’re struggling to become themselves. In this powerful conversation, Ginny Yurich sits down with Dr. Deborah MacNamara to unpack what children actually need to grow: deep rest in relationship, wide-open play, and the freedom to feel their full range of emotions. Drawing from Rest, Play, Grow, Deborah explains why maturity is not a guarantee, why play is the birthplace of personhood, and why “tears of futility” are not a problem to fix but a process that helps children become resilient human beings . This episode will change how you see tantrums, learning, and even your role as a parent—offering a steady, sane path forward in a world that keeps pushing kids too far, too fast. Don't miss it and remember to send it to friends and family who need to hear this message. Get your copy of Rest, Play, Grow here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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First 90 secondsSpeaker 00:00
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Speaker 10:06
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Ginny Yurich· Host0:32
My name is Ginny Hogan. I'm the founder of 1000 Hours Outside, and I have just read a fantastic book. It is called Rest, Play, Grow: Making Sense of Preschoolers or Anyone Who Acts Like One, but I found that this would be so applicable to parents of any age for whatever stage your kids are in, but also for yourself. There is so much that you learn about in this book, and the author, Dr. Deborah MacNamara, is here. She also has a book called Nourished. Welcome, Deborah Thank you so much for having me and for your enthusiasm.
Deborah MacNamara· Guest1:01
I'm delighted you loved it. It, uh, ah- I loved it ... it's amazing of people. You know, young kids who are so misunderstood Yes, they're so misunderstood.
Ginny Yurich· Host1:10
Okay, so would you give us a little bit of your backstory? You did your post-doctoral internship with Gordon Neufeld, and I just actually w- had the opportunity of interviewing him, and I've been talking about his book constantly, Hold On to Your Kids.
Deborah MacNamara· Guest1:22
Yeah This takes it, I think, in a, like, there's m- different depth here in Rest, Play, Grow, as well as really focusing on these