Without this sounding terrible, do any other mums out there just get nothing ‘nada’ out of ‘playing’ with their kids. I mean I love my kids to death, happy to take them to all and sundry school and social events etc but when I’m asked to play Barbie’s or sword fights I just cringe.
I am not a creative person in the slightest and I enjoy doing things - making a sword, dressing Barbie etc but the imaginative play I am so crap at. My hubby is fantastic and encourages their imaginative play while involving himself and I just wish I had an ounce of that ability. Will they hold it against me later in life? Is there anything I can do to change? Am I the only one who feels this way?
3 Replies
I hate pretend play especially as my kids always say I'm doing it "wrong" and then we all end up frustrated. Instead, I'll happily build Lego or play with a Grimms rainbow with them. I'll also read and draw.
I hate it too. Especially the early years it’s actually painful to me. But they do notice and it shapes their view of you. My kids did, when I went through a depression and I was working and really busy and at home just still working at running the ship I was so tired and so flat. They would play and I’d watch, I’d take them to parks and play lands and the beach; but I’d sit and watch and never join in and they did notice and they started to say Im not fun and I never do things with them.
You’re really lucky they’re getting their needs met by your hubby so you don’t HAVE to, but if you want to connect with them then you kind of do have to fake the joy and meet them in play land at least sometimes.
Imaginative play is so good for them. You can even integrate life lessons around bullying etc. and what to do. Developing an imagination also helps them to develop problem solving skills. Maybe it's a shift in perspective ;)
I did find it painful but I did it for them. Perhaps give it a time limit e.g. 10 to 20 mins and then I have to get up and do this. Quality short play rather than long drawn out hell haha
Imaginative play is so good for them. You can even integrate life lessons around bullying etc. and what to do. Developing an imagination also helps them to develop problem solving skills. Maybe it's a shift in perspective ;)
I did find it painful but I did it for them. Perhaps give it a time limit e.g. 10 to 20 mins and then I have to get up and do this. Quality short play rather than long drawn out hell haha