Passing on a great idea

[USAmma]

I was meeting with some homeschooling families today and we were talking about kids and issues we are having with them. One mom had a great suggestion. She said set aside part of a day where dh can watch the baby, and tell Abi I will play anything she wants with her. She said give her all the attention she wants, uninterrupted. Play her games even if they are boring. The mom said she's be surprised how fast the power struggles would lessen if I did that a few times. She said the first few times she did it, she was playing with her kids for a couple of hours but after that they didn't *need* to play with her that long, and felt satisified with the attention they got.

I have tried to take Abi out on "dates" but it's almost always my idea on where to go, and we sometimes do errands on the way. I've never sat down and played with her, not since she was my only baby. Even then it was only for a limited amt. of time because I always had other things to do.

Darshani

[Embee]

This is Playful Parenting in a nutshell. Beautiful! Indeed, each day DS and I play. The positive way in which this affects and connects our family is truly immeasurable. I find the more he guides and I follow, the less power struggling we have overall. I join him where he lives, and he's happy to join me where I live when I need him to. The more I play WITH him, the more willing he is to play independently when I need him to. The more we play together, the more we work through, the better connected we are, the happier our family is.

Amen.

P.S. I highly recommend the book btw ("Playful Parenting")

[Piglet68]

I try really hard to do this with DD at least once a day. I don't think I do it enough, but it sure is one of my goals. Thanks for the reminder.

[meco]

What an excellent suggestion! Neat idea

[USAmma]

I checke PP out at the library and have read one chapter so far. It sounds like a good book and I am looking forward to learning more.

[Mizelenius]

I think DH thinks we are supposed play with DD ALL DAY. I, on the other hand, think that it is impossible to do (w/o going crazy and getting NOTHING done, which would mean no dinner, clean clothes, etc.). Interestingly, though, on weekends, DH finds a lot of errands to do and I stay home with DD (we bring her when she's up to it). DD rarely naps and gets only about 11 hours of sleep. Can you imagine, playing for 13 hours a day? But, we DO play with her a lot and she never, ever, ever stops asking for it so I am waiting for the time that she won't need me as much (she's almost 3) for her play. In the meantime, I have to explain that I have to do such and such and just do it. I can't believe she's playing by herself right now! I will say this-- we don't have a lot of tantrums or power struggles around here (other than to get us to play more), so it must be working.