does anyone ever feel guilty for not playing with their kids enough?

Question

I do play with them, but they get bored easily and im not always in the mood to play. I feel really bad, anyone else go through this? My kids are 4 and 7.

Answer 1

yes i would have to say i do with my grandson and i work alot so my 15 year old see me little but i tell him all the time that i love him and love her so when you do have time and they get bored just tell them that you love them they will rember that the most ..............my kids did there 21 20 19 18 15 and yeah im 38 lol and a grandma of 2

Answer 2

It sounds very familiar my daughter is 7 and my son will be 3 in a month. They are the most hyper kids I have seen. I had to change jobs so I could spend more time with them. I try going to the park ,to the pool, the movies.They do get bored almost instantly but don't let this get u down, just try different activities.Don't get into a routine just do what comes to your head ,remember whatever u do with them it counts.New things are very good like museums. Try doing things that u all can contribute like cooking or doing manual things. Also take turns with husband sometime alone can help u relax and then catch up with them. Good luck.

Answer 3

I do all the time! My husband is better at it that I am. I always feel like I should be doing something around the house like cleaning or something. But sometimes you have to just put that aside and play with them, if only for a little while. If they seem content to play on their own, let them, after all they are kids, and kids have huge imaginations! So long as they know you are there for them and are interested in what they are doing. They are only small once. You don't want to have any regrets later.

Answer 4

I think every parent has felt that way at least occasionally. Like the other day, I had such a headache, and my little one, 15 months old, really wanted me to crawl around and bounce her, you know, the usual stuff. I just wasn't myself, not much fun for her. She kept herself busy pretty well, but I felt bad about it.

I always keep some quick and easy craft stuff on hand for my older kids. Some craft foam, stickers, pom poms, white glue, craft sticks, etc. I often make sock puppets with then, then send them off to make up a show.

You could also hire a pre-teen as a mother's helper once or twice a week. My oldest "works" for a couple of my friends and they can get some housework done, or just soak in the tub with a good book - guilt free! She plays with the little ones and keeps them out of trouble. It's fun for the kids 'cause she has new ideas for things to do and the moms don't have to beat themselves up for being busy or just plain tired!

Answer 5

I think that every parent deals with some kind of guilt each day. We always wonder if we have done enough. I have felt the exact same way about playing too. Just remember that each parent is diffrent one may play on the floor with their children and one may not like to. It's okay if you are like that as long as you are giving them attention in different ways. You may choose to read to your child or take them to the movies. Giving them lots of hugs and kisses in the middle of a hectic day. These are all ways of spending time with them that I'm sure you already do. Don't beat yourself up for feeling that you don't play enough. Kid's need to learn how to play by themselves and with their siblings also. Good luck!

Answer 6

I feel bad all the time. I have a beautiful little 6 year old. I pay attention to her all the time now, because it's just me and her because her mother left when she was 3. Before that, it was her mother that used to feed her and look after her a lot, because I was busy working a second job so that I could afford my training as a chocolatier.

But I could be happier now that I have my baby to myself, and now that I have completed my training, I only need to pay attention to her. Now I only feel bad when her friends run off on her to go and go other things.

Evie knows I love her though, and you just have to make sure that your kids know that too. My daughter got bored a lot as wlel, and constantly wanted to play a hundred different games. But now I know I can just lay down and hold her in my arms for hours on end, and she'd quite content.

Sometimes all you need to do is spend a few minutes a day with them snuggled up to you, and they'll be quite happy.

Children can be amazingly perceptive when they need to be.

Answer 7

Yes. I feel the same way. I play with my kids but there is so much to take care of that I get distracted and I feel like I don't play with them enough. I think guilt is part of being a parent though. You love your kids and want everything to be perfect for them, including their parents. But people aren't perfect, were just people who make mistakes. All you can do is love your kids and do your best.

Answer 8

You don't have to play with your kids 24/7. It's good for kids to learn how to amuse themselves... and not just by watching TV!

I spend lots of time with my 4 year old, but when I have to go back to work (I work at home), I set him up with a few puzzles, or blocks , or a computer game.

When I want to relax, I send him outside to play on his swing, or ride his scooter while I watch from the porch.

With a 7 and 4 year old, it might seem like you need to supervise play, just to keep them from killing eachother, but maybe just giving them each something different to do in different rooms would help too.

And when they play together, try to make it something they can both deal with at the same level... they're probably miles apart when it comes to lego, video games or puzzles, but could probably play reasonably well with imaginitive play like puppet shows or dress up costumes.

And as long as they're amusing themselves, or playing together nicely, you can stop feeling guilty about not being in the thick of things and take the time you need to relax.

Answer 9

My son actually prefers playing alone. It's sad and I feel I am constantly getting in his way. My five year old is the solar opposite. He requires A LOT of attention. Sometimes I feel bad for not playing with my son enough BUT he isn't any worse for wear. I'm sure as he gets older we will be able to enjoy each other more. I think it's important to spend time with your kids but give them their alone time as well. As long as they aren't complaining and you ARE playing with them--I don't see a problem!

Answer 10

You know what I do sometimes, but i just remind myself that the majority of the time I am available for her and the reason I'm feeling bad is usually when I'm doing something around the house that needs to be done and I get that oh so familiar
daaaadyyyy I think that if you really Analise it your spending far more time with your kids than you actually think it's just that we get so used to it we sometimes forget how much we really do for them.