taking time to stand and stare; PLAYING WITH your kids; letting them take the lead cf hectic schedule of play group and music classes

[thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat]

I know this has been done before but I wanted to share my experiences today. I've had a lovely day but it feels a bit sad too cos I wonder if a lot of what I've been doing has been all wrong. I've got about 3 weeks off work and I have no projects or things to do. Today after dropping dd one at school dd2 and I went to the supermarket for a few things. I let dd2 have her own trolley, count the apples, weigh everything, zap it with the scanner, I never had to say no, I never had to say hurry up. we walked home at her pace, I let her climb on whatever walls she wanted, stop and stare at whatever caught her interest. we even played at waiting for a bus cos she likes sitting at the bus stop. she was happy as larry. she asked if we could stay in today and just play. and that's what we've done. It made me think back to when she was 18m-2 and dd1 was at nursery in the mornings and the amount of time I spent hurrying them both about - rushing to get to play group, leaving early to rush to nursery etc etc. I'm not sure who it was for. And today just made me think, that maybe what kids need pre-school, as much as joe jingles and play groups is someone who lets them take the time they want to explore the world. Someone who listens to what they want to do, however trivial and frustrating it seems to us, however late-making. I've had a lovely day today and it's been nothing like those running round hairless days I used to have.

[harpsichordcarrier]

hi there
I think you are absolutely right.
I think a timetable for preschoolers is the kiss of death and the cause of many (most?) arguments with dd1.
my lovely friend sometimes takes dd1 out for the morning and they just do nothing. one day it was raining and they went out for a walk and when they had gone I remembered I hadn't even told her where the swings were and they were out for three hours just peeing about including a full hour and a half in the bus shelter. she is really good at going at dd1's pace and they both have a great time
sound slike you had a fabulous morning

[oliveoil]

I work 3 days and on my days off I don't plan anything.

Dd1 goes to playgroup in the morning both days so I leave 45 mins for a 20 min journery so they can examine things on the pavement and in the afternoon we either play in the garden or playroom or go to Asda (!).

I used to have all these ideas of making stuff for the freezer etc but got annoyed with them pestering me but all they wanted was my attention. So now when dd2 has her nap, dd1 gets my FULL attention instead of me rushing around hissing "in a minute!!!".

xx

[3littlefrogs]

You are absolutely right. I would give anything to have those days back again. I would worry less, slow down, just play, instead of trying to juggle everything and keep on top of work, housework etc.