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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To sit in garden while toddler plays?

37 replies

raininginbaltimore · 04/09/2012 15:02

DD is 4.5weeks.

Ds is 3 and currently very happy playing in garden with toys (making up stories involving fire engines and dinosaurs).

I was planning on taking them out somewhere, but I am quite enjoying sitting holing baby while he plays.

That's alright isn't it. Independent play is good for him right?

OP posts:
firawla · 04/09/2012 15:03

of course its fine!! enjoy it :)

WorraLiberty · 04/09/2012 15:06

Yes it's fine...enjoy it Grin

No need to check with everyone else

EarnestDullard · 04/09/2012 15:06

YADNBU. Independent play is great for kids, and you get to relax and enjoy your baby. That's a win-win in my book :)

MrsLettuce · 04/09/2012 15:09

YWBU to do anything else.

ChocolateIsAFoodGroup · 04/09/2012 15:14

No, you should definitely be taking them both to enrichment classes! Preferably in Mandarin as it's all going to hell in a handbasket with the Chinese soon. Or some activity where your elder one, at least, can develop gross motor skills in tandem with fine motor ones.... Grin

You are bonkers! Enjoy! (And I'm 37 weeks pregnant with DC3 and hating every last second of the horrible asthma and preg insomnia I currently have - my preg ambitions for me and DD1 this morning include baking and eating my favourite chocolate cake.... and that's it - oh, and TV!)

MrsHelsBels74 · 04/09/2012 15:17

Well I've just spent half an hour sitting in the garden whilst son 2.6 plays by himself, occasionally expecting some response from me. He's had a great time & I've got a few quiet minutes! I am 37 weeks pregnant so any time I get to sit down in a bonus!

naturalbaby · 04/09/2012 15:18

What?!?
I spent hours of ds2's first few months twiddling my thumbs (ahem, cleaning and MNetting) because they were so independent and happy together. It's a bit of a shock to my system to go and intervene now they are 3 and 4 and fighting all the time.

greensnail · 04/09/2012 15:32

Definitely not unreasonable. I've spent the past 3 hours sat in the park while my dds play happily together. I'm now trying to convince them we should go to macdonalds for amcflurry but they're far too busy playing with stones apparently.

furrygoldone · 04/09/2012 15:33

I spent a lot of yesterday sitting in the garden whilst my 16 month old DS wandered about entertaining himself, although I did join in quite a bit and made sure he didn't hurt himself, is that not ok? I'm 39 weeks pregnant seems to be a theme here Smile

Flisspaps · 04/09/2012 15:33

That sums up what I've done since 20wo DS was born. 2yo DD looks at me like Hmm if I try and join in with her!

oldwomanwholivesinashoe · 04/09/2012 15:57

How awful is it that we feel guilty for not constantly taking our children to dancing/singing/clapping/speak-5-languages and the like! I have 4 dc (eldest at school) and was feeling bad for staying in today as my 7 month old is teething and grumpy. I felt bad that I was "making" my 2 year old and 3 year old to play together at home rather than than taking them somewhere more fun! I feel much better now - thanks everyone!

Oblomov · 04/09/2012 16:40

Am saddened thta you need ot ask. Sad

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 04/09/2012 16:45

No YABU, you are FAILING YOUR CHILDREN.

Not really. I think all the enrichment stuff is for parents so we can sit and have them entertained. Mud, sand and water. These are actually your friends.

everlong · 04/09/2012 16:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TyrannoWearsGoldKnickers · 04/09/2012 16:56

I've spent the whole day entertaining DS with lots of one on one garden play.

It's been utterly fucking horrible with 90% of the time involving his having tantrum after tantrum.

YADNBU. You are extremely sensible.

NCForNow · 04/09/2012 17:26

Is "Garden Play" your term Tyrano? Or is it a "thing"? Grin

notjustamummythankyou · 04/09/2012 17:31

Hang on ... AIBU and everyone agrees?!

TyrannoWearsGoldKnickers · 04/09/2012 17:57

Oh God NC no it's my term, I don't do 'things' Grin Or at least I hope not Confused

It consisted of me attempting to pot my winter pansies whilst encouraging DS to use his slide and sweep up leaves with his little broom. When he decided he'd rather pull all the heads off of the panises we switched and played 'picking up all the gravel from the back and putting it in daddy's watering can'. Then we pretended that the hose was a microphone and made screaming noises down it. Then he smacked me in the head with a plastic spade. Then he tried to run into the driveway. Then he threw his juice at my head. Then he attempted to ride the cat.

It was unsucessful as days go.

Having re-read my last post I would like a gold star for the wankiest remark of the day. 'One on one garden play'

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 04/09/2012 18:28

Tyranno you don't win on wankiness. My DD (because of Spanish speaking childcare) says agua not water. We have agua play. The faces when I loud parent that one are quite something to behold.

SirBoobAlot · 04/09/2012 18:33

Lots of independent play goes on here, so we'll be unreasonable together Grin

VintageNancy · 04/09/2012 18:41

I'm looking forward to the independent play days - YADNBU.

ChocolateIsAFoodGroup · 04/09/2012 19:23

agua play - snort!

And back to the tele over here..... Grin

PippasArse · 04/09/2012 19:28

I'm glad it is ok cause I've never 'taken them out' every day

Psammead · 04/09/2012 19:31

Is there another way? Shock

SilkInsideAChestnutShell · 04/09/2012 19:35

Independent play/benign neglect all the way here. Am also pg and like to sit in the garden while 19mo potters around. I do get involved when she tries to eat gravel.

LOVE agua play and will be teaching dd that one Wink.