to ask how much time you actually spend hands on 'playing' with your children if they're pre-school?

[ivehadtonamechangeforthis]

I have a 16 month old and a 2.10 year old. I'm currently a SAHM thanks to redundancy.

I've finding trying to split my time equally really really hard. If we're out it's not such a problem depending on where we are/what we're doing but at home, everyday is a battleground. Both want my sole attention. And my 2.10 year old in particular wants me to play with her all day.

Atm, I'm trying to set one up with toys to play with whilst I play with the other for about 15/20 mins and then switch over. It often ends up with both crying hysterically and fighting for my attention but both refusing to allow the other to play with us. This goes on ALL day! I spend most of my day 'playing'. Trying to get household stuff done is really hard.

As a footnote, we do go to several classes/groups a week and most days we go for a walk somewhere.

Not that much - I don't really enjoy it so I take mine out to soft play, walks in the park, swimming, out for lunch etc. I work 3 days so I only have 2 days on my own with him.

His dad loves it though and spends hours playing with him.

Sounds like you do more than I did when mine were that age! I have sympathy, it’s hard. I’m not a great player so I took mine out a lot (winter is tougher!) and when in the house I tried my best to do other things and ignore them a bit. It does kids good to have mummy time, but also to let them know that sometimes mummy has to get on and do stuff (have a cuppa and a biscut) and they need to amuse themselves for a bit. Hard when they’re so young, but won’t do them any harm, as long as you’re in the same room so threy’re supervised. They’ll kick off a bit but then get used to it

DS was 2 last month and I spend a good chunk of time sat doing puzzles or play dough etc with him. And if I tell him it’s time for mummy to make dinner is something he does get stressed about it but I’ll give him and empty mixing bowl and spoon and he can ‘help’. Same with sweeping, could you give them a dustpan/brush each and they could help. Then you are all ‘playing productively’ together