To not order how much time do you spend with your kids

[rainingitspouring2]

Since summer has broke up I have been with my kids almost every second of the day bar going to the shops for provisions occasionally on my own. Yes dad is here and yes we see people but I am still present. I have taken annual leave over summer and only work part time anyway.

I have just asked them to go their room multiple times for them to play together (they are 3 and 5) but they are back again next to me within 5 mins. How much of the day should they be playing away from you. I need space.

Sorry to say this but mine were the same at that age. They are now 11 and 8 and it's better now, but I can't remember when it got better.

Maybe dad could do more?

My 5 year old son is the same. Honestly he sits outside the door when I go to the toilet, sits on the bathroom floor with his toys whilst I shower etc - he doesn’t leave me alone for a second. I’ve booked him in to a kids club for 1 day a week starting from next week so I can have a bit of peace! 🙈

Mine are the same - 4 and 8. Although I’ve noticed if I’m doing chores they tend to leave me alone then (don’t want to get roped in I guess or maybe they can tell I can’t give them attention). Start stripping the beds and see if yours do it too!

Plonk them down in front of a movie. A looooooong movie.

Mine are pretty good at playing on their own, but they have been since very young, what are they usually like? Is this out of the norm for them or do you usually entertain them 24/7. I've never had a whole week off with either or mine though, always do it so I have 1 day off for the week, then a few days in holiday club

In the last few months, my 5 year old has started to do Lego independently. If he’s in the right mood he’ll do a jigsaw or 2 as well. He’s absolutely incapable of doing anything else independently and also never stops talking at me. My 2 year old seems to be heading the same way 🙃 they both need a loooooooot of physical exercise

Im doing a lot with them. But eldest is going to a couple of morning holiday camps even on days I’m not in work for my own sanity.

I’m so glad mine watched movies. I’d put Lion king or Toy Story on and they’d sit there and a was the whole thing.
I could also sit in the garden and they’d play with water or balls.

I'm a teacher so spend all my working life with kids. I also have a 4yo who is with me in every single holiday as she goes to a childminder in term time. She is an only child (not through choice) and sadly, we've really struggled making local friends for her so it can be intense! I am hoping this changes with school starting in September. She is not the kind of child who enjoys any solo activities. She loves imaginative play thanks to Bluey. 😂 I currently look after her from the moment she wakes up between 630-730am until my husband finishes work. I feel guilty that she is clearly feeling a bit lonely and missing the company of children so will send her to her term-time childminder for a few days next week. The fact that we love them to the ends of the earth doesn't mean we don't need some respite at times! Today, my husband and I took it in turns to have some time to ourselves. I took her to soft play in the morning but then went for a solo shopping trip and to a cafe in the afternoon while they went swimming. Is that something you could do to give you some time to yourself? It really helped me. Solidarity to you as it can be hard! X

Sound of music is the one you need 😂 (I now know why nanna put it on when we visited with all the cousins).

I found setting up an activity meant I could start them off and walk away to “make a cup of tea”. Eg. Wooden train set all set up.

Or Chitty Chirty Bang Bang or Mary Poppins. Epics.

The other thing I would do is put on a kid’s show DVD which would run through episodes for about 90 mins. Bliss.

Nearly 4 and nearly 7 and they are only just starting to go off and play in another room without me.

I tend to do things with them for a bit and then when I get fed up I say OK I'm going to make dinner/fold the washing/water the garden/whatever. When they were younger I'd have to come back and carry on but now they tend to carry on without me and I can chill a bit more nearby.

Sounds just like mine. 2 boys by any chance?

They do watch TV. Then leave me alone. But otherwise they don't. I get guilty over too much screen time and am conscious I don't want to use it a crutch ( which I'll be home early I often do but is hard when it's summer and the only time they give you any peace)

So hard. My husband works long hours and shifts. When he's off I work but yes will ask for a couple of hours. Never seems enough though does it!

Bliss. Eagerly waiting for this...

At that age, I put my dc to bed at 7/7.30pm as normal during the holidays.

It’s so hard isn’t it? 🥲 mine are almost 8 and one will play video games if I’m in the room so I do get a break from him but then I feel guilty that he’s on a device too much. The other one seems to need constant attention, I will play a game with her for half an hour and then I explain that I need a little break but she constantly asks me to look at her or film her or play with her. It’s relentless to be honest so I tend to take them out but every time we leave the house it costs money!

You've never had a week off with your children?
I'd do something interactive they can both play together. Lego, train set, car tracks, marble run. What about some games, snakes and ladders, buckeroo there are so many games you can get. Puzzles or crafts? Water play?

Exactly. We went for a scoot today but even as we walk past shops even the charity shops there is so much temptation and requests to buy them something and it's hard not to for bribery alone. On a Sunday my DH works and everyone is having low key family days so no one around. Wow it drags. Today felt 173848393 hrs long 😓

I'm looking for things they can do without me and won't end up in squabbles and tears. Big ask, I know 😅

What about playing ball or riding around on their bikes or sandpit? Maybe something that you do next time each other but independently?

This thread is reassuring, my two are 5 and 7 and so demanding constantly from the minute we wake up to 9pm at night I’m SO drained and frazzled but I thought this was unusual! The only time I get some proper peace (although they will shout for me from the sofa) is if they are watching TV but then I’ve got to find something they will both watch and not fight about. If they are playing nicely together it can go from harmonious to fireworks in seconds. My eldest is firey and youngest still prone to tantrums and not backing down. The trampoline has helped but it’s 50/50 whether they are playing or fighting and arguing. My poor neighbours. My eldest also won’t go outside without me or upstairs / downstairs if I’m not there. I seem to need permission to walk round my own house, it’s madness.(I’m a SAHM so usually get a break from how intense it all is when they are at school but it begins again at 3.15 every day!!)

This is why God invented iPads.

Blessed be the fruit.

I work term-time and mine are the same ages as yours. It’s been 5 weeks and I am so touched out by them both just wanting to be RIGHT THERE next to me all.the.time! Add that in with the constant fighting and I know exactly how you’re feeling. The evenings are better when my husband is home, he’ll play with them and I get a bit of a break but it is definitely full on! They’re never this clingy to me when I’ve been at work 😂

I’d go absolutely spare if I was on duty 24/7. Does dad never take them both out and give you peace, or have them at home while you go out?