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AIBU?

Do any of you get sick and tired of playing with your children?

67 replies

SilverGlitterSparkle · 15/12/2019 19:01

Wow that title came across as a it harsh- never meant to sound like a bitch!

So I have a 12 year old who does her own thing and a nearly 4 year old. I’m a single mum. Today I feel like I’ve non stop played with her. I’ve painted pictures with her. Drawed with her. Played dollies with her and then painted again. I just feel exhausted because all day ive been listening to the words ‘mum, mum, mum’ and I feel like I need a 5 minute breather. I love my kids so much but does anyone else feel like their littlest ones are on their case all day? I have tried my very best to entertain and her and play with her and right now I’ve taken 5 mins to come on mumsnet and all I’ve got is ‘mum, mum, mum’ in my ear still. Is it just me being mean or do any other mums feel like this sometimes?

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RunningAwaywiththeCircus · 15/12/2019 19:54

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SilverGlitterSparkle · 15/12/2019 19:55

oh I don’t mind Lego too! Pretend play has got to be the worst although ive just thought of the amount of times ive been handed a pencil and been told to draw something today. “Draw a fire truck mummy”. Erm no I can’t draw one of those baby!

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Frightenedforthefuture · 15/12/2019 19:59

Ooh dead lions could be a good one. I also play hide and seek and count (to 50 slowly!) And then take ages to find then. I am also an amazing hider (am I the only person to cover themselves in dirty washing in order to get some alone time?)

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TroysMammy · 15/12/2019 20:02

Would the game "who can be quiet the longest?" work?

I never wanted children but I am an Auntie. My niece is in year 5 and from the time I pick her up from school once a week it's constantly "Auntie, Auntie, Auntie". I look forward to us going to Brownies later the same day when she has to call me Little Owl.

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SilverGlitterSparkle · 15/12/2019 20:04

@Frightenedforthefuture that is hilarious!

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SilverGlitterSparkle · 15/12/2019 20:16

@TroysMammy no tried that and didn’t work! Don’t think that ever works with any children to be fair!

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notnowmaybelater · 15/12/2019 20:29

You definitely need to introduce substantial outdoor time no matter what the weather in the mornings (going for a walk to look at stuff or feed ducks somewhere or to a playground) and invite other 4 year olds over to play in the afternoon. More children is actually easier - I have 3 children fairly close in age and they did play together a lot (fortunately the eldest had an off the scale imagination and capacity for imaginative play, so whilst this was trying until her siblings were old enough to play with her it was very useful later, and by 4 she mostly played with dc2) I also very often had 6, 7 or 8 children in the house and this was much easier (just be sure not to get mixed up with parents who think going to yours to play = free child care; it must be understood and embraced by all concerned that children who misbehave get sent home. Ideally don't have all of anyone's children at yours, don't take siblings along with your child's actual friend to help the parents out because then you are doing child care and the kids know it and are less well behaved).

Good luck. More outdoor time, more friends over to do the pretend play.

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Billie87 · 15/12/2019 20:38

Omg I could have written this post today 😂 my 4 year old is constant at the minute. Play this play that mummy mummy mummy arghhh lol. It does get very draining sometimes I completely agree. I hold on until bedtime then sit in silence for about a hour with a cup of tea after she is asleep 😂😂 no advice - but feel your pain!

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Birthdaycakemondays · 15/12/2019 20:59

Oh god this thread has made me LOL! I’M NOT ALONE!! My 2.5 year olds fav role play at the moment is where normal price falls off of Peppa pigs slide & I have to take him to hospital in tom Thomas’s helicopter!! 🤦🏼‍♀️

I feel really bad but she says ‘OH NO NORMAN!’ For the 18th time & im like nope... you’re on your own kid. You save Norman this time.

They’re relentless little buggars arent they? & This bloody weather does not help!

I’m looking forward to Christmas just so I have some new material for role play!!

Praying the fact she has a sister 2 years younger will be worth all the hard work now so they can role play together in a few years time. On their own!! YANBU OP. Not at all.

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ruthieness · 15/12/2019 21:15

The only role play games I enjoyed was where I was the naughty baby who was put to bed on the sofa under a blanket to sleep and then any noise they made I would go "waaa" "waaa"!

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ThebishopofBanterbury · 15/12/2019 21:31

Oh op I absolutely feel your pain!! I have very similar age gap, and the constant playing with my the youngest is exhausting. Mine is into "Thomas and friends" and is constantly saying -do Thomas's voice, do Gordon's voice..you be red hulk I'll be green hulk..etc. it's heartening to hear that others on this thread had two close in age that didn't play together though as I always feel bad mine are so far apart and don't have much in common as far as playing goes! No advice really but as others said, definitely meet up with friends, the more kids the merrier!

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mullyluo · 15/12/2019 21:36

Glad others are feeling the same, someone (probably at preschool) taught 3yo about dancing. He used to just watch TV for a bit but now any bit of music that comes on it's "dance mummy, dance" and we have twirl around the room doing lots of jumps and spins falling down while the baby looks at us from the floor like we're two lunitics. My go to distraction is "ds would you like to help mummy make a cake" he always forgets about it by the time its baked and it more cake for me

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Jodie77 · 15/12/2019 21:41

I mostly practice benign neglect with mine, and then they are all the more appreciative when I do play with them. I think it's more my job to facilitate their play than take part in it. That's what they have friends and siblings and games consoles for

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Twittlebee · 15/12/2019 21:42

Hahaha yes OP. My 2 year old is obsessed about play pretending to be animals so he has me crawling around on all floors with him and making nests etc. Kills my knees and back. He is good though, he does let me have a sit down with my cup of tea so I cant complain really.

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Alpacamabags · 15/12/2019 21:52

I think this thread has done more for my mental health than any dosage of meds 😂 thanks guys! We're in it together!

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pickingdaisies · 15/12/2019 22:06

Looking back, I can't remember ever joining in with role play games, or drawing something on demand. Didn't have the patience for that, and I would quickly deflect. But I do remember slapping down endless amounts of wooden track for ds, who was following close behind with his little wooden train. Praying I'd be able to join up with the bridge or the junction or whatever. The pressure!

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firesong · 15/12/2019 23:13

OP, my kids have an age gap as well. It's really hard to do stuff with them both. My youngest is 2 and he's always following me and insisting I sit on the sofa. The older one is 9 and likes playing games (iPad or whatever). I don't have decent advice as I get really fed up too. I'm a single parent and a whole day at home with them can feel like it's three days long.

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MrsBricks · 15/12/2019 23:16

Honestly I don't really play with mine!

I read books or do activities like baking sometimes, and will set up things like painting for them - but they play by themselves or together.

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Holdencaulfieldshomeboy · 16/12/2019 01:03

Oh God yes, I hate playing with my children! I adore them, but eugh. 5 minutes on the floor playing with his spiderman figures feels like 5 hours.

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DustyLoveday · 16/12/2019 01:11

I play the 'quiet game' especially in the car.
Whoever can stay quiet the longest (no talking at all even if I ask a question) wins a prize.
This game literally saves my sanity!

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managedmis · 16/12/2019 01:17

Here's what I enjoy playing with my kids:

Yoga class
Dance class
Gymnastics class

These I pretend to be the teacher and have them rolling around on the floor, downward dog etc.

Doctors and nurses, I'm the patient on the floor asleep I tell them to bandage me, take my blood pressure etc.

Drawing
Colouring
Reading
Cooking
Park /walks/sledging

I HATE making dolls etc talk to each other. I also refuse to use glitter and shit.

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managedmis · 16/12/2019 01:18

I mostly practice benign neglect with mine, and then they are all the more appreciative when I do play with them. I think it's more my job to facilitate their play than take part in it.

^^

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steff13 · 16/12/2019 02:34

I never "played" as a kid, and I'm just not good at it. I read. I rode my bike. I would build with Lego sometimes, but my daughter micromanages my designs so I don't like to do that with her.

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Happyspud · 16/12/2019 03:05

I don’t play with mine. It’s what I gave them siblings for! And because I have so many I really don’t have time to play. So they play and I keep the ship running. I’m always available for a cuddle on the couch as I drink my coffee. Friends visiting recently commented on how well my kids (4 under 6) get on with playing themselves and go do things for themselves without expecting me to do it all for them and be involved in everything. I laughed and said ‘it’s neglect’ but the truth is that it’s necessity. I can’t side by side parent 4 kids, physically impossible. But I actually think they’re better for it. They come up with amazing games and are all capable of sorting out what they need (get the cello tape or grab a drink of water or find X toy).

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PhilCornwall1 · 16/12/2019 04:22

My youngest (who is almost 13!!) came home from school the other day and all I was hearing was "dad, dad, dad" when I was trying to work.

He got the message when I said to him, if I hear you say dad again in the next 30 minutes, I think I'm going to scream!!.

You've got years of it to go yet OP, sorry.

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