How much do you play with your kids?

[Emily45]

I have a toddler and a daughter in her second year of primary school. I come from a pretty neglectful family myself and honestly I don't know what I'm doing or really how to play with them without just thinking about everything else I have to do which stops me from fully engaging. I carry so much guilt for this as my oldest is always asking me to play.

So honest answers only please!!! ❤️

Imo, that is what grandparents are for! Hehe

Can't bloody stand bloody imaginative bloody play 😖😖😖 So I don't do it! Instead I adapted stuff I enjoyed doing or stuff that had to be done (chores) to involve kiddo. Eg I'd run, he balance biked. I towed him in a trailer for years (I love cycling). Lots of walks, although I sold it to him that we were on a bear hunt or whatever. I have him cleaning, sorting laundry and cooking with me. Indoors fun wise, I love actual board and card games. Also jigsaw puzzles. Of course we do the obligatory reading, which is lovely! There's n'owt wrong with watching telly together or a film either... so lots of sofa snuggles. Again I've pushed my son towards stuff I like (age appropriate again). Just adapt the chores and your own interests/ groom them to like what you like!

This^also ASC /ADHD hate imaginative play but love crafts/reading/construction play . Luckily DH loves mad and make believe play so it’s a balance.

also a social worker and therapist, your kids don’t need you to play with them 24/7! They need what they can get from you, within your ability and reasonable efforts. sometimes you’ll have less to give (I certainly do, work ft with children in mental health so quite exhausted) and sometimes you’ll have more!