By the time the day’s winding down, most of us moms are running on fumes. We’ve been juggling work calls, school pickups, playdates, dinner battles, and maybe even a load or two of laundry. And as much as we’d love to show up with Pinterest-level energy for playtime, sometimes the best we can offer is a horizontal version of ourselves—literally.
Scrolling Instagram the other day looking for inspiration to send to our social team, I saw a video of a dad lying on the floor, effortlessly entertaining his kids with what his partner called “horizontal parenting.” One moment, he was a human whack-a-mole with stuffed animals popping up from cardboard holes, and the next, he was transformed into a racetrack with toy cars zooming up and down his back. And you know what? It was brilliant.
The comments section on the video was full of laughs and relatable stories from other parents who’ve found clever ways to entertain their kids without sacrificing those precious moments of downtime. @danielyse123 shared, “My daughter used to play funeral home makeup with me; she made me lay with my arms crossed over my chest, my eyes closed, and I couldn’t talk while she did my makeup. After a while, I started suggesting it when I was tired… so if your kids are weird, try it 😆.” @myshrimplie chimed in, “Dad’s talent is resting while creating core memories ✨ my dad used to tell me to walk on his back, and I was basically giving him a massage.” And the humor kept coming with @angerpancake’s quip: “This episode of Bluey is called ‘Dad pulled a muscle.’” Clearly, we’re not alone in finding creative ways to get through the day.
The struggle and the guilt we all feel
For so many of us, there’s a constant tug-of-war between being fully present with our kids and just trying to catch a break. We want to be the moms who dive into games and crafts, but it’s tough when you’re already exhausted. Cue the mom guilt—a constant reminder that maybe we should be doing more, moving more, and engaging more. But here’s the thing: letting go of that guilt can be incredibly freeing. There’s no rulebook that says moms can’t lie down while their kids climb on top of them. If anything, it’s a reminder that connection doesn’t have to be picture-perfect.
At the end of the day, we’re all doing our best to create meaningful moments with our kids, even if that means doing it from a horizontal position. For me, those witching-hour minutes before bedtime are often when I’m at my lowest energy. So, yes, we lie down on the floor and let him climb over us, playing “mountain” and “cave” games that don’t require me to be on my feet. It’s our shortcut to bonding—and it’s still special.
Letting go and making room for memories
Horizontal parenting isn’t about laziness. It’s about letting go of the pressure to be “on” all the time. It’s about recognizing that sometimes the simple things—like being a human jungle gym—mean just as much to our kids as grand adventures do. When we let go of that guilt, we can find joy in these little moments. The laughs, the silly games, the eye contact that says, “I see you”—those are the memories they’ll carry with them.
So, if lying down means I have the energy to be present and connect, that’s a win in my book. We’re all trying to get through each day, and if horizontal parenting helps us create moments of connection without totally burning out, then I say, let’s embrace it. Because what matters isn’t how we’re playing—it’s that we’re playing together at all.
