do you play with your kids?

[papooshka]

I am a SAHM and have to admit that I rarely play with the kids and feel guilty about it but I find it sooo boring

I have a 3 and a 1 year old and I do read books, and we sing songs and we bake cakes but thats about it, I take them out loads of places and they see lots of friends but when we are at home I busy myself with housework and going on the internet. They do play on their own or follow me round and watch telly..

Pls reassure me that this is normal!

I read somewhere that it was important that they learn to play on their own as it encourages their independent thoughts and creativity.......I take mine to lots of playgroups etc and it's only when they get older that they actually start and play with anyone. When little it's just individual exploring etc...

Hope its true cos its how i justify my 'lack of play' at home.

I'd rather be out doing stuff too. I guess all the jigsaws, book reading etc add up through the day too. I also get the kids to help with housework (sort of) so they pretend to dust, take washing out of machine etc and love 'helping' mummy - so thats a game to them. I think/hope that the amount of communication you have is more important eg talking about what you're doing, where you're going, what you're buying in the shop etc...

So I'd say not playing AND not talking to them is wrong, ignoring them...but not playing kiddie games all day is fine.

Does watching This Morning and dressing her dolls when asked count as playing together? If it does then I do