How Much Do You Play With The Kids

[CheekyChick]

In a 10 hour day, I probably "play" with the children one hour a day. I also work with them during school time, circle time, make crafts, potty/change them, and interact with them all throughout the day. Thankfully, I have assistants who do the playing for me. I can only take playing "doggy" or "kitty" for so long. ::

[countrymom]

I too play maybe an hour a day, the worst thing for a child is to learn that an adult needs to entertain them all day. I had a girl like this and it was a nightmare. Now since my kids all talk, we spend all day talking, the stories they tell me is crazy funny.

[laundrymom]

I have 10 from 4 mo to 4 years and we play the entire day. Sometimes me with them, games, imagination, books, outside, and sometimes they play with me, cooking, sorting, etc. We function as a family.

[rbmom]

We do group activities more than me playing one on one with the kids. I would love to play more but do not seem to have much free time after all the care is done although I am always right there with them, unless I am cooking or bathroom break.

[jodi]

I read the past conversation. It was... educational. Honestly it was a good read with valid points of view from both ends of the spectrum. I guess I fall in the middle - I play IF I have time. For example: If I'm doing dishes, I won't stop to read a book - but will ask them to wait and will read it when I'm done. Or if I'm asked to play lego's or something, I'll usually suggest they ask one of their friends. Usually by the time I'm done and have a moment - they are off doing something else - and I'd never stop their new play to remind them they wanted a book.

I go about my chores and interact with the kids - Like I'll wash the windows (could kid fingerprints be any more gross?) in the room they are playing, and will communicate - encourage, answer questions - but I don't play.

I don't do "preschool" either though - but try to find opportunities if I see them doing something in their play that can assist in a learning opportunity. For example if they find a bug - I will stop what I'm doing to check it out... but I certainly wouldn't go looking for the bug with them.

So even though I'm doing my normal household activities - I see them, hear them, communicate with them. They know I am approachable and also know that when I say I'll be there when I'm done, that I am.

It is how I was raised, how I raised my kids and they turned out great. I agree that I'm not sure where the idea that adults should entertain kids came about in the first place. Kids come to me wanting constant adult interaction - not knowing how to play - begging for TV or an action toy - with no imagination. It makes me sad.

So on the days I'm not feeling guilty and second guessing myself about not being Mary Poppins - I'm under the belief that I'm actually doing them a huge benefit by affording them the opportunity to have to learn to play alone, or come up with ideas or solutions, or to take their experiences way past anything that I could present them with. Honestly... if I sat and played lego's, the kids would become very adapt in building swimming pools for the barbies (thats about as far as my imagination goes)... if I leave them alone they build castles, bridges, towns, cars, people...

I think children are these amazing people that when allowed to think and play outside of the box - not have an adult tell them or show them how to do something (except for the obvious... we dont want them to be free spirited in washing their hands...) they come up with extraordinary ideas, inventions, stories. I feel that a lot of times my interaction interferes with that - because I am a grass needs to be green kind of person.

Again... when I'm not feeling guilt over not being the ultimate child care provider, teacher, playmate, entertainer... all for $122/week.