Play Time Help

I really need some help . I find myself dumping the girls in their play yard while I putter about the house and try to keep my head above the laundry and dishes. I feel like I'm ignoring them and not giving them enough "mommy" time, but sadly, I'm not sure what to do with them. They're 8 months old now, and I still don't know how to play with my kids :/ They seem fairly self-entertaining, but I think I should be doing more than I am... I'm just not sure what that is. What are some games y'all play with your kiddos? In addition to being a first time mom, I've NEVER been around small children. HELP! :/

 

I have found myself thinking similar thoughts as you. It is very difficult to juggle housework with playtime. There just isn't enough time in the day. I do believe that while it is very important for parents to spend time with their children...it is also important for them to spend time alone. Since there are two of them, they have the advantage of having a built-in playmate. This will help them learn to interact with other children. Many other children do not have this opportunity until they reach school age or begin daycare or another sibling is born, etc. The time they spend together allows them to develop communication skills. Also, by playing by themselves they learn to discover things on their own. They have the opportunity to figure out how things work, etc. I read that this is important for their development. As for the time that you spend with them...ANY time that you spend with them is invaluable. I have found that they love for you to read to them. Books are great. There is so much they can learn from them...your voice alone is a teaching tool. They will hear repetitive words which will help their language development. Simple picture books will teach them that objects have names. They'll get excited when they learn to recognize certain things. Mine are so proud of themselves when they point to the ball and say the word! Another idea that work for us is having them play in the kitchen while I'm doing things in there. I have a special cabinet full of tupperware and other safe items that they can play with. They will play with these items while I take care of my chores and often I will talk to them and tell them what I am doing while I work. I also play chase with them throughout the house. Even if it's only a few moments here and there...your time spent with them will only be a positive thing. HTH!

 

playing with kids doesnt need any training, they probably entertain me more than i do them.

i read books to them, sit in their toy room with them and play games, take them outside or to a playland.

 

I'm sure that you are doing great!! We play patty cake, peek-a-boo, sing nursery rhymes, and a lot of time they are just on the floor with a pile of toys entertaining themselves! :hug99:

 

:hug99: I have felt, and still do many times, like you. :hug99: For us, it goes back and forth, somedays I spend alot of time with them on the floor, somedays not so much. I just bring them with me to whatever room I am in and talk to them while I am cleaning, washing, etc. I also like to leave them to play by themselves, self entertaining is a good thing because I can't do it all day long. We sing ALOT of songs over and over again. But they like it. We read, play patty cake, peekaboo, and I work with them on their "skills", whatever it may be at the time. Oh and banging on things is another fav. :hug99:

 

I usually play with them for 15-20 minutes - read, kick the ball, color with crayons etc. Then putter around the house as long as they will let me. I do this off and on all day. The play can be outside on the climbing toys; reading; tickling; running errands while chattering away to them about what i am doing etc. B)

 

I get down on the floor with my little guys and work on their skills, or we read, or we build things and knock them down, or we practice walking/standing, or we kiss and hug, or sometimes we just sit together. I usually try to get stuff done while they are napping, but I've been neglecting my poor house... this new TS has sucked me in!

 

I play peek a boo, patty cake, make up songs, play where's the toy, read to them, and their favorite game is climb on mommy when she lays on the floor with them. Those are just some suggestions. I also try to do my cleaning when they nap or are asleep. Which I better get busy! My IL's are coming tomorrow for the twins B-Day. Good luck to you!

 

Thanks for the tips! We tried doing some "mommy and baby" things today, but they kept looking at me like I was some sort of alien... and then promptly ignored me to go play with the fuzzy penguin toys. We'll see what happens tomorrow!