1
of
1
Why Can't We Just Play?
What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too Busy
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3499
Unit price
/
Unavailable
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER
Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks
Found a better price? Request a price match
Why Can't We Just Play?
$3499
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Why Can't We Just Play? will resonate with parents and families seeking a more relaxed approach to childhood and those curious about the cultural shifts in parenting styles. It is suitable for readers interested in family life, child development, and the balance between activity and downtime.
Latest News
Kiritapu Allan visits Book Hero
We were lucky enough to have Kiritapu Allan visit the team at Book Hero while...
Introducing The Art and Craft of Stephen King
I've been a fan of the horror genre since I was young, I remember making...
Reading Before Voting
As we head towards our general election on 7 November, I've realised I'm a lot...
Story to Screen - 04/07/26
Welcome to this week's 'Story to Screen Report', where Sacha rounds up the biggest news...
The Grand Line Awaits! New One Piece Plush Toys
New One Piece Plush Toys have arrived at Toy Hero
See moreIn a culture where children are over scheduled and pressured constantly to achieve, what happens when you let your children do nothing at all? Pam Lobley decided to slow down and give her family a summer that was a throwback to the 1950s. Can she recreate
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Facing summer with her two boys, ages ten and seven, Pam Lobley was sifting through sign-ups 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 School? Little Prodigy's Art Club?”
“Why can’t we just play?” they asked.
A summer with no scheduled activities at all... The thought was tempting, but was it possible? It would be like something out of the 1950s. Could they really have a summer like that?
Juggling the expectations of her husband (“Are you going to wear garters?”), her son, Sam (“I’m bored!”), and her son, Jack (“Can I just stay in my pyjamas?”), Pam sets out to give her kids an old-fashioned summer. During the shapeless days, she studies up on the myths and realities of the 1950s.
With her trademark wit and candour, she reveals what we can learn from those long-ago families, why raising kids has changed so drastically, and most importantly, how to stop time once in a while and just play.
Why Can't We Just Play? by Pam Lobley offers a thoughtful exploration into the dynamics of modern parenting against a nostalgic backdrop.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed, praises Pam Lobley's honest and amusing account of giving her children the gift of boredom and learning to live in the moment. Reviewers highlight the book's humour and candidness in showing the highs and lows of a summer without obligations, noting its insightful commentary on the value of taking time off amid the pressures of modern family life.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781942934578
Publisher: Familius LLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 05 April 2016
Country: United States
Imprint: Familius LLC
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 12.0mm
Width: 152.0mm
Height: 226.0mm
Weight: 276g
Pages: 192
About the Author
Pam Lobley is a comedic writer of plays, columns, and books. Her memoir, Why Can't We Just Play? What I Did When I Realized My Kids Were Way Too Busy, details the year she let her stressed, over-scheduled children, take the summer off from their busy activities and “just” play. She lives in New Jersey with her husband—actor Bill Lobley—a dog, and an almost-empty nest.
More from Parenting & Family
View all-
Raising Human Beings
Raising Human Beings by Dr. Ross W. Greene, renowned child psychologist and bestselling author of Lost at School and The Explosive Child, presents a transformative approach to parenting that helps foster strong parent-child relationships while nurturing key traits such as empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence. This insightful guide is not only a manual for good parenting but also a roadmap...Paperback$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story
Give Your Mum a Beautiful Gift of Legacy, Love, and Lasting Memories Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story is the fun and delightful way for you to discover everything from your mother's childhood memories to the profound turning points in her life. Featuring specially selected questions in an easy-to-use layout, each intentional section gives Mum a place to share...Paperback$2099Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story (Expanded Edition)
Honour his legacy with the greatest gift of all—his story. The Official Hear Your Story Collection Your dad's story is more than just memories—it's a journey filled with wisdom, experiences, and defining moments that shaped his life. Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story is a guided journal that gives him the chance to share those stories in his own...Paperback$2099Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseThe Modern Dad
A love letter to modern fatherhood and being a stay-at-home dad by one of NZ's most popular storytellers. Louis Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) is one of Aotearoa's most popular storytellers, with a combined global audience of three million people tuning in to see his heartfelt and funny videos about fatherhood, fishing, and whānau life. But even with three young children—and...Paperback$3199Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Explosive Child [Sixth Edition]
The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene, PhD, now in its revised and updated sixth edition, delves deeply into a revolutionary, research-based approach to understanding and parenting children who frequently display severe fits of temper and other challenging behaviours. Penned by a distinguished clinician and pioneer in addressing the needs of children with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, this ground-breaking...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$3299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Why Men Love Bitches
Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov is an eye-opening and empowering guide for women who are ready to transform their dating and relationship habits. This insightful book delves into the dynamics of male-female relationships and teaches women how to embrace their inner strength, confidence, and independence to attract and keep the man they desire. Avoiding conventional advice, Argov offers...Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$4300Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseThings I Told My Notes App
The candid, laugh-out-loud guide on self-love and learning to choose yourself from a self-proclaimed oversharer—perfect for fans of Dolly Alderton's Everything I Know About Love. A relatable, honest and inspiring collection of inside thoughts about love, life, and personal growth—the good, the bad, the laugh-out-loud funny—from viral storyteller and queen of oversharing, Milly Goldsmith. Milly has captured the online hearts...Hardback$3199Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
We Are Shiz (Universal Pictures Wicked)
Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Nessarose, and Boq star in this Little Golden Book based on Universal Pictures' blockbuster film Wicked! Welcome to Shiz University, where knowledge meets magic! Meet Shiz students Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero, Nessarose, and Boq, as they star in this Little Golden Book based on Universal Pictures' Wicked! Little Golden Books enjoy nearly 100% consumer recognition. They feature beloved...Hardback$500Elsewhere:$699Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Us
Stop working on yourself as an individual and start working on your relationship as a couple, with the help of the renowned family therapist Terrence Real. 'The book that we all need' - Esther Perel 'A road map for all of us who seek true intimacy' - Gwyneth Paltrow 'A revolutionary guide to happy, thriving couplehood' - Lori Gottlieb Not...Paperback$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Daily Dad
The Daily Dad by Ryan Holiday is a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance for fathers seeking to navigate the complexities of parenting with grace and intention. The book is structured as a series of daily meditations, providing fathers with practical advice, philosophical insights, and heartfelt encouragement to embrace their role with honour and mindfulness. With entries spanning influences from...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
It Nearly Killed Me But I Love You
Everyone told Sinead that having a newborn was a bubble of bliss - and after a traumatic pregnancy, she was hoping they were right. Instead, a few weeks in, Sinead was admitted to the Mother & Baby unit at Starship with Vivie, in the grips of severe postnatal depression. An honest, gut-wrenching, irreverent and shockingly funny memoir about motherhood and...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Hold on to Your Kids
Hold on to Your Kids by Gabor Maté and Gordon Neufeld presents a transformative approach to parenting that aims to foster a deep and enduring bond between parents and their children. This groundbreaking book delves into the modern challenges faced by today's parents, particularly the influence of peer culture, which can often overshadow parental guidance and values. In a society...Paperback$3100Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableBackorderShips early August
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Parenting & Family lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!
