How much time to you spend playing with your kids?

[LunaMom]

When you are in your home, how much time do you spend really playing with your children? Reading, doing puzzles, playing games, etc.?

We don't spend a lot of free time at home, meaning time when we're not eating or dressing or bathing or sleeping, and lately I've been trying to make sure that when we do, I spend a decent portion of that time giving dd my full attention. I think I went through a period in which I rarely played with her, because we were always out doing things (many of which qualify as playing, like going to the park together), and I started to feel guilty!

She's in school in the mornings so I can do housework and stuff when she isn't home, so that's no excuse for me, either. Today I was good - she came home and we played two games, did two puzzles, and read two chapters. Then we took a break for a bit, and here I am...time for her bath now, though, so bye!

[steph]

well dd is only 2 - don't know how old yours is. so we spend alot of time playing. pretty much most of the day! i try and get some housework done during it all - she helps me with some of it. but we do puzzles, and her shape sorter and books and just goofing off and rolling around on the floor or bed. we put on music and dance sometimes. she helps me water the garden. actually, lately she hasn't been interested in going out too much. i've been trying to get her to the park for almost a week, but she's not interested enough to actually get dressed (rather be naked!)... i'm not real big on organized activities - though we do one a week, so we have lots of home time. as long as your dd's happy, and your giving her attention, i don't know if the where is as important as the what. does she like being out alot, or does she like home time? follow her lead and see where it goes!

[Embee]

Generally speaking, I follow DS's cues on this one. There have been times (esp. when he was younger) when he *required* us to be involved in play. Now that he's 2 1/2, I find that he's much more independent in his play and it's great fun to watch (and also to have a little time to do the dishes!). There are still days however when he'd rather play with me than alone and on those days, I drop what a have to and focus on him. I just go with however he's feeling. If he's independent I step back and if he invites me to play, I drop down and start building with blocks... of course anymore, nothing I do is *right* and he ends up dismantling any contribution I make!

[sleepies]

i count those things

the first poster said that she felt guilty...........and then said they were going to the park and doing housework.

if you include your baby/toddler in your house work: then that is actually playing to me. i have my toddler help to dry the windows after I wash them and stuff like that...pick up toys.


i guess i spend about 6+ hours a day in 1/1 activities with him.

[BathrobeGoddess]

I think dd and I play more than most. She is 8. We used to play even more when we didn't have a TV....: I miss those days!

[mamaduck]

This is my worst thing. I get really antsy trying to play with my kids.

I do take them places -- swimming, the library, museusm, parks. And I do read to them everyday. I involve them in housework and cooking EVERY day as much as I can, and I do a whole lot of craft/art projects with them. This week we did tie-dying and made salsa together, went on a picnic, and went to the zoo.

But actually getting down on the floor and playing is *hard* for me. Everynow and then I play a board game with one or both of them (Harry Potter Trivia, or monopoly junior) and I will sit on the couch and toss a ball with the little one.

Fortunately, they *do* play with each other. Their dad plays with them a LOT. And we have 2 sweet kids next door who play with them. I am close to accepting that it might just be a fact that I will have a different sort of relationship with them - and maybe that is okay. But I still feel guilty from time to time.

[untomySelf]

mamaduck

what you do sounds abundant and more than enough! SO your thing isnt board games, no biggie!

This is an interesting one for me. Truth be known, I usually dont like playing with my ds! I for the most part do not even enjoy reading (out loud to him, I am an avid reader though weird isnt it?)

If I am clear and in a quiet nothing to do space, I can happily play one on one, but if I am brutally honest, I find it boring sometimes!
Now, going out and running errands together, (I involve him in all this and I love this kind of thing) is cool, going to zoos, parks,beaches,shopping, museums whatever, I love to do this.

I do like to cook with him (but if Im feeling creative and in my own space I dont wnt to be slowed down or share my quiet thinking space) I love to talk about what he notices and is learning, so we talk alot

but one on one "play" urgh. Im a bad mum when it comes to that!

(Thank goodness for neighbor friends, aunts and his dad)

[MamaBug]

Does you dd go to school in the summer as well as the rest of the year?

I have my ds home with me during the summer, didn't want to do the camp thing yet as he is only 5 and there is plenty of time for that We have changed our routine now that he is not in preschool, but I do spend most of my day doing things with him and his younger sibling. We do ALOT of crafts and and we read alot of books. We have been spending alot of time inour pool and playing in the new sandbox dh built and of course on the swings. I know that someday soon he is going to want to spend all his free time with his friends so I try to spend as much of it with him now as possible. The best part of having kids in my opinion is getting to do all those things we used to love, like finger paint, playdoh and light brite!