About
Is your life perfect?
Mine isn't.
It's a struggle every day. But that's normal. Being a parent is hard.
My old company went into liquidation, through no fault of my own, and I lost eight years of work. As a family, we lost a lot at that time.
As a result, I’m not the father I thought I would be. I'm more stressed and less tolerant. And I have much less time for my own children than my father did for me. My sister and I used to laugh at how eccentric he was, at the corners he cut and the half-finished projects. I now suspect he had ADHD. But he was fun, and he was kind - and endlessly patient, qualities I thought I had in abundance but I'm reminded daily how far I fall short.
I don't say this out of self-pity. We all have our own paths to walk. Perhaps you are also having struggles with work, or you are bringing up your child alone or, perhaps, there is neurodivergence in your family.
Where you are doesn’t matter.
If you’re looking for a higher power to fix your problems, I’m not your man. I'm the dad who forgets to put the tooth fairy money under my children’s pillows. I wake in a panic and have to quickly sneak it under in the morning, pretending it was there all along.
And my magic wand has run out of batteries. All I can offer is a direction of travel.
But that’s OK.
Because, when you’re heading the right way, you feel more in control and more optimistic - and everyone’s happier.
That’s a struggle I’m happy to have.
Start with the parent
I created Play with Purpose for you, whatever is happening in your life.
It’s not for your child, it’s for you.
Without wishing to compare myself to David Bowie, Radiohead or Joni Mitchell, I feel the urge to move away from the old favourites, the greatest hits like open-ended play and fine motor activities. These are all important subjects but there’s nothing left to add.
I want to create something new. More importantly, I want to do something that really helps.
I've written before about my love of Thomas the Tank Engine. Being called a really useful engine is the highest accolade a train on the Island of Sodor can receive.
I want to be a really useful engine, too.
My promise
I promise to make your life better, by giving you quick fixes, things you can implement today, right now.
I’ll offer a nudge or habit that encourages your child to play more independently, or a play tool that gives her the confidence and self-belief to get back to make her own fun and get back to play when things fall apart.
The internet is full of advice but a lot of it is rehashed and poorly considered. Worst of all, it doesn’t work.
The tools in Play with Purpose, on the other hand, are designed to be practical. No fluff, no filler. And if they don’t work, they’re out.
I chose a community format for this reason: I might not get everything right first time because I created them from scratch so I need your feedback to make improvements. We’ll battle-test the ideas together.
But did think long and hard about each tool. Each one is rooted in research and draws on my years of teaching experience. I’ll link to sources and references wherever I can, and I’ll give credit where it’s due.
Welcome to Play with Purpose.
It’s time to get started.
Let’s make things better.
Alexis
P.S. Don’t forget to download your free Guide to Playful Playspaces if you haven’t done so already. It’s the perfect place to start.
Read more about my story here.
You may already know me from my first project, the now-departed 100 Toys. Read the story.
Want to learn more? Become a member. It's free.
By joining, you’ll gain access to a rich archive of everything I’ve created and everything yet to come. Think of it as your personal library, full of practical tips, expert insights, and play-based activities to help your child grow through purposeful play.
Membership tiers
Whatever stage of parenting you’re in, there’s a membership tier to support you:
- Free tier. Access members-only posts, the Play Circle community and bonus PDFs, like The Guide to Playful Playspaces. Join The Play Circle.
- Individual newsletters. Subscribe to Patterns in Play, Screen-Free Saturdays, or Start with the Child individually to receive weekly content tailored to your needs. Subscribe to a newsletter.
- Co-Conspirators. Unlock full access to Patterns in Play, Screen-Free Saturdays, Start with the Child, The Play Tools, the Endless Play Generator, and our private community for ongoing support and fresh ideas. Get it all.
Whether you’re looking for simple, screen-free activities or deeper insights into your child’s development, there’s a tier that’s right for you.
