to not want to play with DS?

[Numberfour]

This morning I took him to Beavers (first time) and then to () Macdonalds, then raced home to tidy up and then took him to a party for 2 hours. I had to stay with DS at beavers and at the party because he is very unsettled in new situations despite being 5.

He now wants me to play outside with him and I want to slurp wine and read about other people's lives on MN.

(BTW DH worked this morning, slept this afternoon and is not busy mowing the lawn)

So, AIBU to tell DS to entertain himself for a bit because I cannot be arsed to get up again?

Can DH not play with him? Seems like it's his turn.

er... is NOW busy mowing the lawn

DH just popped out to get some beer then he will be bbqing.

DEF DEF his turn, but doubt that will transpire.

You're not BU to want to stop entertaining him and definitely NBU to want to slurp wine and read about other people's lives on MN, but you sound a bit resentful when you say he's "unsettled in new situations despite being 5". 5 is not very old; he's only little, and it's not his fault. Did you not have fun with him at all today? I hope it wasn't all a chore.

Hee hee we have just found some neighbourhood children whose parents were delighted to have them in our back garden rather than theirs so rather than being actively involved are just lazily watching them all throwing themselves around the bouncy castle.

Not at all unreasonable. Suggest he helps Daddy do the lawn.

No yanbu, at five, I think its fine for him to be told to go off and find something to do, hes had a busy day so in your shoes, I would be putting something on the telly for him....

starkadder, no, I am not resentful at all though it is interesting that you picked up on something. Despite being his mum I have only recently realised that he is so much like me when i was little - I hated the uncertainty of new situations. I am so keen for him not to be that way because I know that it is so limiting. (I will probably be posting about this in Behaviour / Development sooner rather than later!)

Also, he is quite a bright little spark and once he knows a situation he borders on being a right bossy pain (teacher mentioned "leadership" qualities so I said, yes, bossy!) So it is quite sad for me to realise that he is rather anxious sometimes. Of course I am doing what I can to reassure him.

Anyway, time to get the barbeque stuff ready after having played outside with DS for a while.

YANBU...I do all the taking to park/school/tennis/football/bathing/cooking/homework/bedtime/stories....I'm not going to play with my DC aswell....all DH has to do is go to work and play with DC...that's how it's done round here.

gosh i should think DS would be a bit knacked after a busy day and be happy to do something quiet by himself! give him some soil and pots and tell him go crazy building something for daddy...

YANBU.