To ignore my kids sometimes

[Jxy765]

I’m a single mum to 2 girls age 4 and 5, I’ve found recently they are playing really well together and sometimes at weekends they happily play together for hours at a time.

Today for example, we watched a film together this morning but since around 10am they’ve played happily in the dining room. I’ve obviously been popping in to check on them and we all ate lunch together, but AIBU to leave them to it? I’m finding it so strange being able to do some jobs around the house and I’m actually sat watching telly with a hot coffee right now!

is this normal? Have I finally passed the stage of having to engage in playing with them 24/7?! I’m so used to never having 5 minutes to myself I’m finding it really strange!

for what it’s worth we had a play date, lunch out and a club yesterday so they’ve not had a boring weekend but today is grey and rainy and we’re having a lazy day!

Ridiculously silly question but I'm sure you know that! 🤣🤣

It's nice though isn't it? When they get to this stage and you get a bit more time to yourself.

This is an advantage of having a small age gap, make the most of it!

Absolutely leave them to it! A parenting phrase try to live by is “Never interrupt a happy child”. My two are playing quietly at the moment- hence I’m on MN with music playing in the background and a book on my lap I’m about to dive into while I can!

I find I get more done when they’re in bed (in terms of a quick tidy, sort clothes and washes, plan food for the next day etc) so I tend to nab time for R&R while I can during the day.

Haha yes I know it sounds ridiculous but I’ve got strange mum guilt even though I’ve waited for this moment for 5 years 😂

my youngest started school this week so I think I’ve had a sudden realisation they’re not babies anymore and don’t need me quite as intensely as they did!

I ignore my twins sometimes even when they are arguing while playing! I don’t think I should conflict resolve for them every time they get aggy with each other. So yes, I most definitely just get on with what I want to do when they’re playing nicely.

This is normal. Mine are 7 & 5 and play together all the time. Occasionally im brought a broken toy to fix, or they will come asking for something like the clothes airer for a den, but otherwise they are off doing their thing and Im reading with a coffee.

This is why i had two kids 😂

im pretty envious reading this thread I can’t lie and any other mums of single children will probably feel the same… make the most of it I say! Far more preferable to the guilt of ignoring them when they’re single children!

I am jealous 🤣🤣 only child here and I have to have input in every single game

Mine are 4 and 7 and quite often will get into a game and play together for ages. It's brilliant. Enjoy it.