I hate myself for even writing this, I feel so guilty, but my 6yo DD is driving me nuts!
She is a happy, largely independent, little girl. We do lots together; baking, crafting, days out etc etc. Recently she's calling on me more and more often to 'play'.
Now, Barbie and dolls aren't my cup of tea at the best of times, but 'play' with DD broadly looks like this:
- I am assigned my characters - usually multiple.
- I am told their names, ages, and precisely what they can (but mostly cannot) do.
- the play is boring and repetitive- eg the dolls are having a sleepover but we never actually get to the sleepover because time is spent organising the rules of the game and or mindless 'do you like my pyjamas' nonsense.
- I'm not allowed to introduce new elements to the game or the planned storyline. So no room for a little ad hoc amusement even.
As you can decipher, I find it utterly soul destroying. However, more and more often it's all she wants to do with me!
DD has clearly picked up on my many excuses, and has moved on now to making me feel tremendously negligent for not playing enough. I've had a stinking cold all week and I've been told off this morning because I've only played once since Sunday. She whinges, sulks, and generally takes me on a massive guilt trip if the play I do doesn't last hours or I'm in the middle of something else.
I know I should cherish these times and they won't last forever eat but how do I manage this?? I actually can't stand it anymore!
I dread to think how her 'games' go down at school - so I'm keen to help support her to play more freely.
Any advice much appreciated.