262804066 175. Why You Keep Avoiding Playtime With Your Kids | 5 Min Journal Prompts - Journal Entries

Episode 175

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Published on:

4th Sep 2025

175. Why You Keep Avoiding Playtime With Your Kids | 5 Min Journal Prompts

You love your kids, but somehow you keep finding reasons to avoid actually playing with them. The dishes need doing. Emails need answering. That toy bin needs organizing. Sound familiar?

What if the real issue ISN'T that you're too busy or too responsible? What if you're actually using those tasks to avoid something much deeper?

In this 5-minute strategic journaling session, we're digging into why you feel internal resistance when your child asks you to play - even when you desperately want to be that present, patient mom who enjoys these moments.

Strategic Journal Prompts:

  1. Identify what you convince yourself is more important than playtime
  2. Explore your specific fears about engaging fully with your kids
  3. Discover if you're using productivity to avoid deeper feelings

Perfect for working moms who feel guilty about always being half-present during family time but can't seem to break the pattern.

👭 Register for a workshop with Sam:

Permission Slips for Ambitious Women hosted at Meraki Beauty in Batavia, NY. In this 90-min strategic journaling workshop, you'll go from daily overwhelm & doing everything for everyone else to peacefully pursuing your true desires (guilt & people-pleasing officially evicted) — without adding more to your already full plate.

You'll experience a guided meditation, strategic journaling prompts, real-time breakthroughs & mimosas!🥂

📌 Sunday, Sept. 21st @ 10am EST, 12 spots only

Register here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/permissionslipsworkshop

Resources Mentioned:

Ways to work with Samantha:

1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 1 spot open. Learn More here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoaching

Connect with Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.s.says

DM Sam on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachSamanthaHawley/

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About the Podcast

Journal Entries
Journal Entries is a podcast for ambitious women who feel stuck in patterns they can't seem to break. Your host, Samantha Hawley, is a Clarity Coach who helps you see your blind spots so you can stop self-sabotaging and start trusting yourself again.

Whether you're a working mom feeling overwhelmed, an executive people-pleasing your way to burnout, or an entrepreneur avoiding the decisions that would actually move your business forward - this podcast will help you identify what's really keeping you stuck (hint: it's not what you think).

Each episode combines strategic journaling prompts with real client breakthroughs to help you recognize your protective patterns, process your emotions in a healthy way, and gain the clarity you need to make confident decisions.

Tune in weekly for honest conversations about self-sabotage, emotional patterns, and what it really takes to trust yourself - plus hear from guest experts who understand the unique challenges facing high-achieving women.

Ready to stop going in circles and start making moves that actually matter? Let's journal through it together.
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About your host

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Samantha Hawley