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Minimalist Moms Podcast | Simple Living for Overwhelmed Moms

Playful by Design: How to Create Spaces That Spark Independent Play | Myriam Sandler (EP379)

Minimalist Moms Podcast | Simple Living for Overwhelmed Moms

Diane Boden

Self-improvement, Home & Garden, Leisure, How To, Kids & Family, Mental Health, Education, Parenting, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 952 Ratings

🗓️ 13 May 2025

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, play and design expert Myriam Sandler—founder of the wildly popular Mothercould platform and author of the upcoming book Playful by Design—shares how to transform everyday spaces into intentional, low-stress zones that invite kids to explore, create, and play on their own. Myriam unpacks the psychology behind independent play, how to set healthy boundaries (without guilt), and why fewer toys can lead to richer experiences. With real-life insights from working with children of all abilities—including her own daughter with sensory aversion—Myriam’s approach is both practical and empowering. Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious house, this conversation will leave you inspired to create functional, joyful spaces that work for the whole family.

Links Discussed in This Episode |


About Myriam|

Myriam Sandler is the creator of Mothercould a beloved kids' activity and family lifestyle community trusted by millions of families. As a mother of three, Myriam shares engaging, easy-to-follow video tutorials that offer accessible DIY play ideas, parenting hacks, family travel tips and more. Mothercould has grown to offer family friendly, problem-solving products now available at major retailers.

Episode Sponsors |

Clear Intentions would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!


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Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 

Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.


Questions |


  • Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.


  • If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!


Our Sponsors:
* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS
* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com
* Check out Mr. Pen and use my code MINIMALIST10 for a great deal: https://mrpen.com
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-all-things-minimalism-intentionality-and/exclusive-content

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

You do not need to play with them for hours. It's about really intentional time one-on-one.

0:07.7

If your child can't see it and they can't reach it, then they can't play with it independently.

0:13.8

So giving them that piece of independence really makes them feel like you trust them,

0:20.4

like you trust them with the art supplies that you left

0:23.4

out in the cubby. I think all of us parents have like a different play superpower where we all

0:30.4

like different things. I hate dress up. I hate imaginative play. But I love drawing and I love creating play recipes and I think a lot of

0:42.4

parents are afraid of empty space and that's why we constantly feel like we are their wheel of

0:48.9

entertainment right it has to constantly be filled with something to do, which we need boredom in order to have

0:57.9

creativity.

0:59.3

Kicking off the return of the minimalist moms podcast is my guest today, planning and design

1:04.8

expert Miriam Sandler, founder of the wildly popular Mother Could platform and author of the upcoming book,

1:11.9

Playful by Design. She's here today to share how to transform everyday spaces into intentional,

1:17.5

low-stress zones that invite kids to explore, create, and play on their own.

1:22.7

She also impacts the psychology behind independent play, how to set healthy boundaries without guilt,

1:28.8

and why fewer toys can lead to richer experiences with real-life insights from working with children

1:33.4

of all abilities, including her own daughter. One of the frustrations that I feel like is

1:37.5

most communicated amongst friends is that children don't know how to play independently.

1:41.4

But the wisdom in this episode is quickly going to change that.

1:44.7

So stick around for my conversation with Miriam. But before we get there, I quickly want to share

1:48.7

a minimalist resource with you this week. This week, I want to share a book with you called

1:53.1

The Mother's Self by Talia Gutin. Within her poetry, she truly captures motherhood and the love

1:59.5

for her son in the most simplistic yet

...

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