Mom Shares Quick Trick for Turning 'Frustration to Appreciation' During Son's Messy Playtimes (Exclusive)
Victoria Gutierrez is a mother of two from Austin, Texas
As a boy mom, she's no stranger to tidying up - especially when toys seem to multiply across every corner of the house
However, one day, in the midst of cleaning, the 31-year-old realized the true magic behind her younger son's playtimeVictoria Gutierrez was about to clean up the toys her 7-year-old had left scattered across the floor when she paused and noticed something deeper.
After lowering herself to Niko's level, she began to see the scene from his perspective. Tiny action figures became heroes mid-adventure, and building blocks were towers reaching toward the sky.
At that moment, the mother of two from Austin, Texas, understood that she had the chance to witness the often overlooked beauty of childhood.
'It was one of those moments that really stopped me in my tracks. I paused and just observed for a minute, and it made me reflect,' Gutierrez, 31, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
What first appeared as a mess was actually a space filled with creativity and imagination. 'It shifted my perspective from frustration to appreciation,' she adds.
Since then, Gutierrez has learned to pause and truly observe what Niko's doing – the way he carefully arranges his toys, builds a scene, and brings it to life with dialogue. What once seemed like just another pile of action figures now feels intentional and full of meaning.
'It's amazing to witness his imagination unfold like that,' she says. 'What used to feel like a mess now feels more like a snapshot of his mind at work.'
Gutierrez believes that giving children certain freedoms is essential to their growth. When they're allowed to fully immerse themselves in the worlds they create, they begin to build confidence and strengthen their creativity.
For her, it's a crucial part of how children learn to express themselves and explore new ideas. 'It's a big part of what makes childhood so meaningful,' Gutierrez shares. 'Constantly interrupting or rushing them can take away from that magic.'
She's now much more mindful of how she approaches her son during playtime. Instead of immediately stepping in, she'll ask, 'Are you still playing?' - and if he is, she respects that and allows him to continue.
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When the time comes, Gutierrez simply reminds him that once he's finished, the toys should return to their home. This small shift has helped preserve his sense of ownership and creativity.
'I used to feel overwhelmed by the mess, but now I remind myself it's only temporary,' she explains. 'There's definitely a balance between fostering creativity and keeping things organized – and I've found that clear communication really helps us maintain that.'
As a result of letting Niko have room for playtime, Gutierrez has noticed his screentime decrease and his independence skyrocket.
'I think a big part of that is because of the shift in my own attitude,' she says. 'When I started seeing his play as something positive and creative instead of messy, he seemed to sense that and leaned into it more. Now he's more engaged, imaginative, and even calmer during playtime.'
By giving herself grace, she's come to understand that a clean space and a child's need to play can coexist by honoring their creativity while setting gentle boundaries.
'Their imagination doesn't last forever – so making space for it now is worth it,' Gutierrez tells PEOPLE.
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