Finding enthusiasm to play with ds & feeling guilty

[ajsgirl]

Does anyone else have a problem with this? Maybe it's because we're stuck in this teensy one bedroom apartment with none of our things (we just moved cross-country and our stuff isn't here yet), maybe I'm feeling lonely not knowing hardly anyone here yet or maybe I'm just bored with the lack of stuff to do.

My ds LOVES trains. He plays with them all day. Plus, we read about them, do puzzles about them, watch train videos and re-enact scenes from them. It's all he talks about or wants to do. I just can't find the enthusiasm about them anymore. I want to throw the trains out the window! And he always wants me to play trains with him, which I do, about once a day. Otherwise, I suggest that we do something different, like a puzzle or read books or playdoh or bake muffins. But sometimes I just don't want to play with him. And when he's showing me something, it's something he's shown me probably 3 dozen times before (no exaggeration). When he gets into something, he becomes really obsessed with it.

And then if I say "no, I don't want to/can't play right now", I feel so bad. But really, I have another child who needs my attention too, and she often times is ignored because ds demands to be the center of attention! Plus, sometimes I just want a few minutes to myself.

So, where do you find the enthusiasm to play with your child, especially the same things over and over and over and over and over and over again? I just feel so burnt out.

[Terabith]

Honestly, I don't. I mean, I think playing with your kids is important, but sometimes grown ups need to do grown up things, or WANT to do grown up things. Sometimes I just don't want to play hospital (what my dd plays over and over). Sometimes I dont want to play, or cant play, and really, I think that is okay. I think boredom is all right, and learnign to play on their own is okay too. (I mean, I dont think you should never play with your kids, but I dont think it is necessary to do it all the time.) Offering other activities is good. Do you have a car? Could you work towards getting out and meeting more people? (Maybe other toddlers/ preschoolers who love trains? Host a support group meeting for parents with train obsessed children?)

[maliceinwonderland]

My dd is older, so this may not work for your dc, but I'm actually just honest with her. If she wants me to read the same book for the zillionith time, I tell her I'd love to read her a book, but I'm really tired of that one, so if she'd pick another one I'd be happy to read to her, or when I feel like if I helped her build one more village for her ponies I will melt them all in the microwave, I just let her know I'm kind of burned out on the ponies and could we play something else? Of course, I don't abandon the favorite book or game for very long, but I think letting them know we need a short break from a specific activity is okay.

With the "doing adult things" it's pretty much the same thing. Example, today I was taking her to the big indoor play structure in town..which is literally the absolute biggest treat she can imagine, and while we were waiting for it to be time to leave, she wanted me to play..and I said, quite truthfully "I feel like I just really want a little while to chill out on the computer and rest before we go play together all day." I've explained that I love playing with her, but sometimes everyone likes a little time to themselves, and I don't think she's going to suffer any longterm damage because I wanted 15 minutes to check my email or want to go a day without reading captain underpants

[warriorprincess]

I really only play things like board games.etc. I do that whenever time allows. Play pretend makes me want to pull my brain out though my ears.

[zenma]

I feel your pain!

[Literate]

Maybe it's time to bake train cookies or make play-doh trains or, um, read a nice train book at the library.

Or make nice little kleenex blankets to put over the sleeping trains and find something else to do?!

What is it about trains? I swear it's the most OCD toy out there.

[smalltownmom3]

I think kids need to learn that mommy needs a break and it is ok, also with a sibling your ds needs to learn to share his time. Just be honest and explain that sometimes he can play quietly by himself.

[newmommy]

I could have written your post. I'm tired of playing trains. I want to give myself permission to say I don't have to play with trains today.

I give DS 15 minutes (on a timer) and I play trains with him. It is the longest 15 minutes.

But, he gets angry and wants MORE time when the buzzer goes off so I am still trying to figure this out

I'm just terrible at Kid's Play.