Did your parents play with you as a child? If so do you think it made you want to play with your own children?

[peggotty]

Or did they not play with you, and has it made you not enjoy/want to play with your own dc?
I'm just interested to see if whether there is a link between the two! Personally I really don't particularily enjoy conscious 'playing' with my dc. I like going for walks or reading with them etc but that's about it! My own mum didn't play with me, although I am the youngest of four and my mum was a single parent so that may have had something to do with it. I don't feel at all deprived though! I don't think there was such a big thing about playing with your children/giving them undiluted attention in those days. I entertained myself a lot, and I don't think my mum even read stories to me at bedtime (that I remember!) I think the whole concept of playing with children was a bit alien to a lot of parents then. Where did this thing about playing with your children come from!?

[deanychip]

No, mine didnt read to us or play as such.

I do though.
It just comes from the irristible sense of fun and laughter that comes from playing with and tickling my son/god children/ nephews/nieces/cousins!
I cant help it, its just such fun.

[deanychip]

The reading to my son comes from the love of books that i have and the wish to pass that love on.

[ForeverOptimistic]

I think you could be right. I like playing board games, reading and getting involved in projects etc but I hate brooming cars up and down the floor and playing on swings and slides. I always feel slightly inadequate when I go to friends houses and they are playing with trains and cars it isn't my thing at all.

[cory]

I think my parents probably played more with me than I've done with dc's. More patient people. Or perhaps because they had no internet access.

[ThornyRose]

I was never played with. Thats the reason I play with dd.

I have fond, lovely memories of my mum reading to me and so I will do the same for dd

[LaDiDaDi]

Ooh, I like this thread so far.

I get really bored playing with dd with dolls and teasets etc etc though I love reading to her, doing puzzles, colouring, craft and taking her to interesting places.

I just find the actual playing stuff a bit dull and frustrating.

[peggotty]

My blood runs cold when my dd (nearly 4) pipes up with something like 'mummeee I'm a puppy and you have to take me for a walk' or something like that. I can't stand it, I find having to play a 'part' in one of her endless role-playing games that go on for ages really dull. I can muster no enthusiasm for it at all but she doesn't seem to notice. I feel terrible about it. But I do think there is more pressure these days for parents to 'play' with their dc. I don't know why though.....

[AliceTheCamelHasGotTheHump]

I don't remember my mum playing with us. She did read to us though.

My dad used to play 'sleeping lions' with us a lot (everyone lie very still and quiet and the first one to move is out ). Actually, Dad used to play games - all of his own devising and he'd never have played anything he found boring (no tea parties or lets pretend) so lots of throwing games or singing games or silliness.

I quite enjoy playing with dd. We do a lot of lets pretend - her imagination fascinates me. I love reading with her too. I don't mind doing jigsaws or playing dollies or playing with toys and stuff either.

Dp plays dens and leaping games. They're not my bag at all.

[Lauriefairycake]

I think that's what people had siblings for

I never remember my parents playing fantasy games (but board games yes) but my sister and I had a whole fantasy world going on

[stillenacht]

I never played with my mum but dad did all the rough and tumble stuff with us and sandcastles on beach stuff.

I get soooo bored playing with DS's and am forever telling my DS1 to go and play and he wants me to play with him - i am always saying "My mum never played with me" I feel guilty but think that he should make his own entertainment like we used to.

[cyteen]

I honestly can't remember. My brother and I were very close so we probably did all our imaginative play together. My mum did read to us loads though, and do lots of painting and craft stuff.

My son is still just a baby but I have found that playing, while not coming naturally to me as it does to my partner, is starting to get easier God knows what we will all be like when DS is a bit older though...

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

I don't remember my parents playing with me at all, though I always used to get a bedtime story.

I play boardgames and do jigsaws with DD. She's never asked me to do any role playing games with her, seems to enjoy doing it all with her Littlest Pets, My Little Ponies, etc.

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

Mostly I remember my parents doing 'stuff' with us, most of the imaginative play was down to me and my brothers. They would read to us, make things, cook, garden etc and I suppose that this has shaped how I parent. I tend to try and involve DS in what I'm doing (in as much as you can with a toddler) and his toys are for when I'm trying to get him to amuse himself.

I read to him a lot though (and this is v handy now I have a newborn).