Why do I find it such an effort to do things with my kids ??

[IllegallyBrunette]

I do very little with them tbh. Can't remember the last time I played a game with them or anything like that and I think that is probably because it normally ends in an argument of some sort.

I did play with them on the trampoline the other day, but have no particular desire to repeat the experience.

I think the main reason I do so little with them is because when I do do things with them they end up misbehaving and making me feel like I wasted my time, but then perhaps that is because I don't spend enough time doing things with them in the first place.

Anyone know what I mean ??

They seem quite happy to amuse themselves 99.9% of the time tbh, but I feel like I should be doing more.

i have. 2 for 1 cheapest ticket free, MSN me if you want them.

I am not bad thank MD . Had a bit of a shite week wrt moving house but otherwise I am doing ok, better than this time last year anyway.

Have fingers tightly crossed that I will hear if I've been shortlisted for an interview this week. Hoping that I stand a good chance, as it is on the ward my mum works on and so she has put in a good word for me.

Thanks CC, is it for entry to the castle ?? Will give you a yell on msn later, am just burning a chicken at the mo.

yeah entry to the castle, 2 for 1 cheapest free. Sure i just said that lol

Excellent. Best of luck.

i don't do soft play. it's far away and to me, mind-numbingly boring.

i'm with moony, it has to be something you enjoy.

for us, that's baking and crafty stuff.

Oh you've just reminded me expat, that I have saved the old argos book for them to rip up and use for sticking etc.

i dont luike doing crafty stuff.

i like baking wth mine, but it never lasts long enough (they just want to lick the bowl).

i dont mine taking them to the park, but i hate pushing them on the swings.

i do love taking them swimming though. and was planning to teach them how to skate this summer, but bump is in the way atm.

i took them to a craft activity morning at the surestart centre (arrnaged by my lovely sister lisad23), and i liked it, as it meant i didnt have to do it iyswim.

yep mine enjoy ripping up argos books LOL

agree craft oganized by someone else- BLISS

How old are your kids? It might well be too late for this year and I don't know what's on offer in your area but my council seems to run lots of quite cheap playschemes for kids.

Good luck with the job application.

I don't like doing things either, but I have to say my get up and go has got up and gone. DH bakes with them and takes them to the park. We would go shopping, pictures, went bowling last night, but sitting down and playing does my head in. DD2 likes to play hairdressers and Drs so I sit there while she either puts clips all over my hair or bandages me up. Both mine like to draw and do crafty stuff but they usually only want me to watch. My friend has 2 girls so we try to go out once a week in the holidays, country park, beach etc. I find the children like it better when they have company.

oh, yes, IB, they can rip up or cut up teh Argos catalogues and make collages. A4 sized.

then frame them in those cheap clip frames.

pressies!

or break out some brown paper and paints, and they can make wrapping paper to save for wrapping presents from relatives.

i love to picnic at beaches because then i get to drink wine whilst they amuse themselves.

I'm feeling better after reading this thread Fortunately ds1 has always been happy to entertain himself for reasonable amounts of time so places like playgrounds and indoor play areas work well because he plays well with any children that are friendly.

I can read books and listen to him reading without any hassle, board games can do (unless he starts to cheat) take them swimming, dance a lot in our house to my music Role play (but I think I can do this with minimal effort on my part)

ds2 is a baby, so will have to up the get up and go in me soon I feel! Cooking, I go through waves sometimes yes, sometimes I think nooo, not today.. do I deserve the lazy mummy award yet? (am leaving for a visit to the garden centre soon to look at fish and check out the craft village after cleaning my sons room and telling him to go play out of the room as he really was not helping me!)

IB - did you know about this free daysaver. its a free adult daysaver - one per email address - I've sent off for 3 just used different email addresses.

DH and I are always playing with our 4yo DTS. Boardgames, jigsaws, playdough, snap et when indoors. Outdoors - hide and seek, running games, football, name that tree etc. Consequently, the boys are happy to entertain themselves when required.

DH and I are big kids so we are not self-conscious about playing silly games.

The other thing the twins love is going for rides on the bus so we go for rides to a different town.

I go through phases of doing things with the kids but mainly outdoors. I like to take them out on their bikes or read a book while they are playing in the park or take them and the dog for a walk in the woods but when it is raining I always feel like I should be doing grown up things like housework or the shopping!

Dont beat yourself up- they will always find something to occupy themselves!

Park and Ride buses are great as they go into a town, you can shop and then they get a ride back if they are well behaved, obviously useful for small children only!!!

Phew, finally I can admit that I dread going to playgrounds. DS (19 months) loves it and we go as I know that he needs the climbing/sliding/balancing stuff. I just find helping a toddler up a slide, complete with mad Miss Hoolie grin is hell on earth to me. I hate toddler groups too .

However, I'm perfectly happy with the messy stuff. Each to their own I say, which is why I send DH on the 'playground and duck-feeding' expeditions!

I love toddler groups and playgrounds, maybe because I often run into friends and can have an adult conversation. I also (weirdly) like pushing swings and even pushed my 4yo twins on swings while heavily pregnant.

I LOATHE made up games involving power rangers or soldiers or Lego police stations - both my ds's now know not to bother asking . And anything messy just ends up stressing me out......10 mins of painting followed by 40 mins of cleanup, not my idea of fun.

Board games, puzzles, building lego, card games and reading are all great.

Interesting how we all like quite different things. Maybe we should just swap our kids around now and then so they get the full childhood experience .

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My mum actually just gave me our old Cluedo but I think it might have bits missing, need to check.

Ds wouldn't 'get' Cluedo though so i'd only be able to play it with the girls.

Any other good board game suggestions ?

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