Mums...Am I a bad mum for not always playing with my toddler?

[sunshine240778474]

I have a two year old son. He always wants to play with me in the house. I am constantly feeling mum guilt because once I've come home from work after a 12 hour shift I am knackered and on my days off I have to catch up with washing, cleaning, and studying ect.

Since he's been a baby I have taken him to classes such as baby sensory ect.

During the week when I am not working I take him to book bug, swimming lessons, football class, and an another sports class.

I do read him books in the morning and at night, and play puzzles ect with him, but can't help but feel bad for not constantly playing with him. He doesn't have any siblings.
I keep thinking hes wanting a friend to play with.

Am I a terrible mum? Should I be playing with him more?

My parents never took me to classes as a toddler/young child. Seems to be more of a thing now. I have memories of independent play (obviously not as a toddler, I have no memories from then) where I used my imagination. Puzzles, colouring books, dolls etc. My mother worked full time, she couldn't entertain me 24/7. That's not to say she never played with me but she was running a home, working full time and had two children. However I do have memories of her reading with me every night before bed, and she would bake with us often. I'm super close with her as an adult. How she did it all makes me in awe of her. What I'm saying is I always felt I had an amazing mum despite the fact she didn't play with me constantly. My dad was very much in the picture, but I'm speaking about my mother because you're a mother and regardless of marital status women tend to still take on the majority of childcare/home responsibilities. Men rarely feel they're falling short in these areas, but somehow we do.

I was you once. He never actually liked playing alone so maybe make your chores more like playtime with him. Good habits as well!
He can sort colours. Or put every item in the machine before you turn it on.
He can get a little dustpan and brush to do the floors. Or a cloth to dust. Or an empty pan and spoons to stir while you're cooking. Kids love joining in.