Do you play with toddler all day?

[leah11357]

I've got a toddler who is 3, and a baby who is 7 weeks old.

Toddler is obviously a bit jealous and wants my attention a million times more than she used to want it. She asks me to play from the minute she gets up until she goes to bed. As soon as she notices I'm not holding the baby, she will ask me to play.

If I'm totally honest, I'm sick to death of playing "monkeys jumping on the bed" all day and I'm really struggling to pretend I've got any enthusiasm left for these games. She's a very switched on toddler and will ask me why I'm bored or don't want to play, which leaves me feeling awful.

Does everyone else play all day with their child?? And am I the only one who is bored of playing? I just feel like there isn't time to play in between the baby and all other household chores, but I try my best to play properly about 3/4 times a day.

[NoShameInNameChanging6262626]

I do play but not all day but i have a 5 year old and 3 year old so they play with each other whilst I get stuff done

When it was just me and DD i played with her constantly but then when DS came along it got really hard

Thankfully hes older now so they enjoy playing with each other

I have just got a lot of kid board games, orangutwang, twister, kids golf,

My 3 year old loves them and is happy to play on his own with them,

What stuff does your 3 year old enjoy that they can play solo?

[leah11357]

She enjoys playing with cars, dolls/doll house, teddies. She occasionally does these things on her own but since the baby came along she can't leave me be even for a second.

I feel like I'm constantly saying "no" to everything because I'm so busy.

When I need time to myself I try to explain that mummy is tired and sometimes needs a break or to sit on my own for a little bit, but worried this if going to affect her confidence.

Any ideas on the best way to tell toddler I need a bit of time to myself occasionally without her feeling like I don't want to spend time with her?

[pennysays]

I have a three year old. We have moments of face to face play time built into our routine - but just short bursts (20 mins max). This is really helpful because they know when it's play time and when it's not. I try to be really clear about the routine e.g. it's not time to play now because we brush our teeth and go outside. I also have an hour every day where we are working on "quiet time" where I am training them to play by themselves. It's very slow going but I think it's worth suffering for the time being. Finally I know what you mean about getting bored of games. So I tend to set the activity at least one or two of the sessions. I.e. I will play but only if we play this... I know if I let them choose it will be dull and repetitive so it helps to have some ideas up my sleeve about what we can do together. I really like Lego and other building things.

Make time for TV! And we do a long (2 hour) walk every morning which means the morning goes by with only about 30 minutes face to face playing from me before lunch.

[NoClarification]

This is where your second baby will eventually come in handy. Hang on in there, eventually you'll be able to drink tea while they play games with each other.

Incidentally, I'm rubbish at playing. I do craft, cooking, chatting, running about with them. I don't do imaginative play, it bores me stupid. They tell me that I'm rubbish at it and I own that. I'm still a good parent - I just play to my strengths .

[SunbathingDragon]

My toddler is one and no, I don’t play all day. My preschooler (3) and YR (4) do play together but we also have to do school work and my work. There is a limit to what can be done especially since my toddler isn’t a good sleeper.

[EssentialHummus]

No (2.5 yo). There's a lot of, "Mum's going to play with you for a little while, and then you can play and I'm going to go read Mumsnet in the kitchen cook your dinner."