why dont my children play with their toys??? SCREAM

[nailpolish]

they loll around the house "im bored what can i do" whine whine

i say "ok lets do a puzzle or play connect 4" or whatever

"no thats dull"

they have barbie, a farmyard, lots of puzzles, dolls. baby annabel, playdough, stickers, etc but all they want is "i want to watch tom and jerry"

SCREAM SCREAM SCREAM

we just made biscuits there today and it descended into arguing over who got the heart cutter and who got the star shape one. cue flour being thrown all over the cat, cat screaming as dd2 tried to rescue her and strangled her in process

it gets me down

I've just completely lost it with the children, as they've completely trashed the living room, pretending to be "the incredibles". I shouted: "why don't you watch the telly like normal children do?". . I shouted, a lot.

mime to. and i am always so peeved that they love playing with other peoples toys at there houses...

if fact they are not here today so i have been filling charity bags

naily I feel your pain

dd1 will play with them if I play too

but on her own she seems lost; they just end up in a pile

DD7 & DS3 rarely play with toys and majority get either passed on or sold in immaculate condition. Ironically, today I got presented with a list of over 30 items from the Argos catalogue for her santa list

Top tip to all.

1. Don'tbuy expensive toys as children do get bored easily of the same ones.
2. Pick up very cheap 'new' toys from car boot sales which cost 50p each and put old or unused ones on the sale. This means a continual upgrade on toys and new things to play with.

I didn't catch how old your dc's were but if they could do puzzles by 18mths they will need extra stimulation, they are obviously bright. My dd is 21mths and is also bright, she needs to be constantly learning. Unfortunately part of being a parent is entertaining them but if they get used to you always doing it, they will not think for themselves.

How about harder jigsaw puzzles with characters they are into, to give you more you time?

In this house when they are bored, I can't just get stuff out for them, I have to sit down and do the activity with them for at least 30 minutes. Then it usually takes off for them both and I get to sneak away and get on with something else.

I am fed up with my 5 year old not wanting to play. His 2 going on 3 year old brother plays better than he does. He was in the '45 piece jigsaw at 2' brigade though.

I am goign to have a big black bag sort out though I think. He plays better if he has less to choose from.

If we pick a 'theme' for the day and bring down one thing - eg train set, cars and car mat, playmobil - he plays better. But he ALWAYS seems to need me to get him going.

The only thing that has kept them busy this holiday is playdough, which they both sat and played with for about 20 minutes without an intervention from me.

If it's any consolation, children who get bored easily are definitely more intelligent. But I guess right now that's not helpful? I have the same problem with ds although would definitely agree with car boot sales!

popsy that could have been me writing that post

i am going to rake through some charity shops for new toys,

im glad its not just me wiht this problem