How much playtime per day when full-time mum?

[IcklePickle]

I have two sons 3.5 and 1. I just wanted a bit of reassurance in how much time I actually get to spend playing with them. Can you let me know how much time you spend with yours? Also do I give one to one to the eldest then the youngest or just play all the time together. Currently give about 80% of time to eldest and feeling guilty that youngest getting left out. He is just started to really get into everything so can't continue that for long. Advise please. Thanks

If you asked my DS1 (2.7) he would say I never played with him enough! My DS2 (12m) is so much more self sufficient and plays by himself really well for long periods (which DS1 NEVER did). So I too feel guilty as I seem to be permanently saying not now mummy's go to cook/ wash up/ hang out washing etc etc. Plus the younger one never seems to get a look in.....
We go to about one activity per day and they both do one day in nursery.
When I feel really guilty about it I try to remember that this is the real world and they have to learn to entertain themselves. Also I try to do things with them that I enjoy rather than endless rounds of pretending to be space men or such like! At the end of the day I can never remember my mum playing with me (except for board games when I was older) but I was always involved with whatever she was doing and I believe I had a great child hood!!!!

I do think one to one time is important (I have 2 little ones too) but also think its fine not to play with them all the time, as long as you are available to give them attention when they want to show/tell you something, or for a bit of a cuddle.

I try to spend X minutes (say 10 or 20) with DD, then set her up to continue the game (or whatever) herself and go and do some chores (does MNetting count as one?) for a while, just letting her know what I'm doing and where I'll be (eg outside hanging out washing). It seems to work. Some days they need more attention than others.

It is hard with 2 though isn't it? I also give my younger one much less devoted attantion, but this is why middle children turn out so well adjusted and relaxed right? (guess what my birth order is? )

god no
you haev twokids so they can playtogether!
trunt hte tv off thoguh

A friend of mine who is a father & childminder says 20 mins playing with them then leave them to it for an hour. I don't always manage that but then I go out with mine a lot and my reason for having two was so they could entertain each other and I wouldn't have to
Someone else I know who is a nanny to 2 boys & spends all day doing organised activities with them says they often plead "can't we just play on our own?".

Oh God, I misunderstood this title, and was thinking it meant 'playtime for Mummy', i.e. time spent doing your own thing. I clearly don't spend enough time playing with dc...! Hence why they're watching Cbeebies now instead of worthy model making and baking.