As a stay-at-home mom with two little ones—ages five and three—I often feel that a significant part of my role should involve playing with them, especially since they’re always eager for my company. But honestly, playing with my kids feels like a chore. My daughter tends to take charge during our playtime, dictating every move, while my son wants me to crawl and chase him, which I’ve never enjoyed, even as a child. It’s not that I don’t want to bond with them; the type of play they crave feels draining. This leads to a wave of guilt because I believe I shouldn’t feel this way. What can I do?
I completely understand your feelings. While my kids are now older, I can assure you that many parents share your struggles. It’s tough to engage in play when you’re being told how to act or when you’re crawling around on your knees, wishing for a carpet cleaner.
Finding Enjoyable Activities
One approach I found helpful was to discover activities I could enjoy doing with my kids. For instance, we had a toy doctor kit, and I would lie back while they pretended to examine me with various plastic tools. It kept them engaged, and I could even take a mini-nap. Win-win! Similarly, playing “restaurant” where they served me snacks from their toy kitchen was enjoyable, and I could relax while they indulged their imaginations.
Enlisting Help
Another strategy was to enlist friends and family who love playing with kids. My brother, for example, is a fun uncle who enjoys wrestling, and my partner was always up for giving horsey rides. Did I let them take over playtime? Absolutely!
Quality Time Beyond Play
Finally, I focused on quality time that didn’t revolve around play. We would go for walks, bake together, read books, or even watch funny animal videos. These moments still provided them with my presence, which is what they truly crave. After all, how engaging could I be when I dreaded the playtime? You can’t maintain forced enthusiasm indefinitely.
From my experience, I can confidently say that your kids just want your time and presence. What you do together is less significant than you might think. If you’re seeking further insights on this topic, check out this blog post for more ideas.
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