Playing with Children

My mother was a rather busy woman, with 4 kids and a husband. While she was very nurturing, and extremely loving, she didn't really spend a lot of time playing with us. She would talk to us A LOT, and take us fun places. We would tell her about our play world, and she would listen and humor our imaginations, but she never really entered it. That was our domain, and we were responsible for maintaining it.

I have found that approach has become my style. I have dishes to wash, and rooms to clean, and other things on my mind. I take care of the kids, talk to them, listen to them, love them, snuggle, hug, kiss, read to them...and  humor their imaginary worlds. However, I don't really spend much time playing with them. I just get too bored, and their play requires a lot of physical and mental energy.

I also think that playtime is a very important time for kids to learn independence. This is a valuable time for them to learn how to entertain themselves, exercise their own creativity and imagination--(as opposed to adult influence), as well as learning how to handle peer disputes (I find myself getting too involved and pulling the authority card in matters of play).

I am starting to wonder if I am wrong. Do good mothers spend a lot of time playing with their kids? I really can't last more than a few minutes. I am open to changing, if I'm wrong. But, I just don't like playing. Is this something that I just need to change?  

I have a four-year-old daughter who has a very large imagination! She loves to play and pretend.  While I don't believe that you are wrong for not playing with your kids, I do feel that it is good for them.  My daughter loves it when I play with her! She thinks it is great when I act silly with her. 

I think making the time to play with her is important.  She is very good about playing by herself, but sometimes she needs me there too.  I don't think you are wrong, but maybe your kids would enjoy it if you played with them sometimes.  The dishes can wait! The kids won't be young forever!