How often do you play with your kids?

I struggle with this. I think b/c I am home with them all the time I take them for granted. (mommy guilt!)
I don't play with them every day. I don't ignore them all day, but some (most) days are spent with me doing other things like cleaning the house or being on the computer while they play with each other or a friend. DH is often gone for work, but I have noticed that when he is here he sits on the floor with them and plays or will play with them in their room, for hours. If they need something they come to me, but if they want to play they go to DH.

When I play with them it's usually reading or doing flash cards. DH will sit with them and play with play-doh, paint, color with them, he even sits at their tiny table. I set them up to do those activities and then I go do something else. So, do you play with your kids or let them play on their own?

 

I do EXACTLY what you do. I cannot stomach the playing WITH them while I'm physically with them all day long. Cannot do it. I think it's normal. My DH does what yours does, too.

 

When I think about it, Aimee, this is what is happening at my house too. I tend to do the more educational stuff with them (reading, working on letters, pointing out animals in books, colors) and my DH is the one who gets on the floor and draws with them, plays blocks, and other games with them. I am the one they go to when they need something and DH is the one they play with.

 

I do a mixture of everything, but DH is mostly just the down on the floor playing. I think whatever you are doing is fine, because they are getting the all around play between the two of you.

Mommy guilt is the worst!! :hug:

 

I'm so glad I posted this, reading your responses is really making me feel better!

 

My husband and I was just talking about this. My girls really play well together and rarely ask me to play. I have tried to go in their room and sit with them and play and they tell me to leave :cry: So, unless they ask me to, I usually don't. I do sit down with them once or twice and do some educational stuff, but I mainly read, or clean, or I'm on the computer doing schoolwork.

 

I try to keep some kind of balance, but it really depends on the day. Some days they're happy and low-maintenance and are totally content playing by themselves. Other days they need more attention. Some days I have a lot I have to get done, other days I have less. I never play with them all day long, though - for one thing, I'd go insane, and for another, there's always work that has to be done (cooking, dishes, laundry) and can't be put off.

I try to make sure I have some quality time with them every day, though, and it doesn't necessarily have to be "playing." And (shamelessly selfish ) I make it something I enjoy too: cuddling before naps and bedtime, reading and singing together, taking them to stuff they enjoy (children's museum, Music Together, etc), drawing/painting together. (Getting down and playing with them with toys, OTOH, bores me to death.) But I'm definitely not doing stuff with them every minute of the day, and it wouldn't even be healthy for them either - it's good for them to get more independent.

 

OMG, I'm sorry. I just posted this exact thing without reading your thread. Guess I"m not alone. :sorry:

 

They do come to my side of the bed for cuddles in the morning when they wake up. :wub: But other than that, they prefer my husband. Last week we went out of town and had 2 queen beds. No one wanted to sleep with me. I had the bed to myself, all 3 of my family members slept in the other bed. I wonder if it's b/c he plays with them more. Maybe they take me for granted too.

 

So glad you posted this and that I'm not alone.

 

You just described my normal days sans DH! Actually my ex never really played with the kids, nor does he now, but he does curl up on the couch with them and watch movies. Jordan will actually get down on the floor with them and participate in their games though. I think it's kind of neat. :wub:

 

So glad to see I'm not alone! I play with them a bit obviously but really not much, although in our case dh plays with them, but more like tickling, rough play etc, never with toys.

 

My husband spends more time with them during the week than I do, but we both get on the floor and play with them on the weekends. During the week, they play mostly independently and with each other before and after dinner, before bed.

I'm the one that takes them places, the library, park, aquarium etc.

I wonder why our house is a disaster. No time for cleaning!!

 

Not being a SAHM, I play with them all the time I'm with them - an hour in the a.m. and an hour in the p.m. and all day weekends (unless they are outside and running around and I'm supervising). They are so used to it that yesterday I tried to fold some laundry while they were awake and one of my (and their) best friends were over and was playing with them and they turned into monsters. They can't stand me doing anything but playing with them. I cannot even order a pizza without some fight breaking out which is specifically engineered to get me off the phone. I think it's definitely different with SAHMs. I have to grab every minute that I can.

 

It works pretty much the same way in our house. I take them places all the time because I want to and because I have to. DH rarely takes them out. So he plays with them more at home. There is more time for it. I have other things to do besides sit on the floor and play. DH can do so because he doesnt have to think about anything else other than he knows that each meal will magically appear on the table for him and for the kids at any given time.