Feeling confused with my 5y DD

[ShiftLD]

Sometimes I treat her like a baby, sometimes I demand some mature behaviour... I'm feeling so confused. She is my only child and I still play with her (dolls, board game...) but at the same time I have to be in command... Should I invite more kids to play at home from now?? I'm really confused and considering buy some of those What to Expect books but not sure if there is something four 5+...

It's fine to play with her, totally normal. If it's a role play type game then maybe let her be in command for a bit. It's good for her to play with you sometimes, and with friends sometimes and also to amuse herself sometimes.

As for the acting very young at times, that's perfectly normal too, especially after having to hold it all together as a 'big girl' at school all day. You can be gentler with her at these times, lots of cuddles etc, without babying her.

tks Barbarianmum.

PLAYING is what mums and dads are supposed to do with children, once the essentials of clothing, feeding, sleeping etc are taken care of.

The tragedy is, some parents don't know HOW to play, so their children suffer.

I was still doing Lego and Meccano with our DS until he was a teenager, as well as computer programming (but by ten he was better than me), and music.