69 Hilarious Moments When Men Proved They Never Really Grew Up At All (New Pics)

If you’re a parent, then you know that you’re not always in the mood to play with your children. And you might feel guilty about having those feelings.

As Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D., notes in a piece on Psychology Today, it’s “perfectly normal” for parents not to feel like playing all the time. It’s healthy to acknowledge these feelings and be true to your authentic self. Eventually, you’ll recharge and be playful once again.

According to Cohen, if parents feel playful, they should play with their kids. However, “if you aren't 100 percent into it, but you can manage a bit of playfulness with a stretch, then give yourself a gentle push to take that stretch.”

But if you’re feeling anything but playful, you should be kind to yourself and acknowledge that you may be sad, tired, or anxious. “That acknowledgment might be all you need to be able to take a lighthearted step toward your child and let your forgotten playfulness arise in you.”

However, if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, don’t force yourself to do anything. Be authentic to your emotions while also being kind to those around you.

“You can gently tell your children you need to get some feelings out before you are ready to play, then take care of those feelings by sharing them with a trusted friend, or by spending time with a journal or your own thoughts. Let the tears out. Exercise or get out in nature. Your child will be there ready to play once you are recharged and your playful heart is reawakened,” Cohen writes.

We’d like to hear your thoughts in the comments, dear Pandas! Which of these photos made you laugh the hardest? Meanwhile, which ones inspired you to be a bit more childish in your daily life?

How do you stay playful and curious even though you’ve got tons of adult responsibilities? How in tune with your inner child would you say that you are? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of this post.