Does anyone else find it so hard to play with their kids :(
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@Haley I feel like such a bad parent because I don’t enjoy it 😩 I enjoy otter things like having her ride her bike or scooter outside while I chill or we color or do crafts but playing pretend is sooooo hard and that’s all she’d rather do.
I just try to redirect to something I don't hate so much. Board games, puzzles, drawing, coloring, crafts, exploring outside, reading together. I very much do not like to pretend play.
@Katlyn the only thing she would rather do is read and crafts but the crafts are a lot of preparation so it’s not something we do weekly as far as crafts go and reading I love as well as she but it’s mostly a bed time thing.
Could you try and craft with something that is really low prep? Like making figures out of pipe cleaners or wikki stix. Or using sidewalk chalk.
I've always felt really awkward with little kids' pretend games too. But I feel it's important to her development to at least try. When she wants to play ice cream store or something, I act pretty serious and take the time to teach her. For instance, it's not hard to pick up a toy or whatever and say hi miss, I want to buy this, how much does it cost? The more you do it, the more natural it'll feel. You'll be happy you did. My personal motivation is reminding myself that one day, she won't want my attention and I'll miss it, so make the most of it while you can.
In the same boat! My toddler 3 in June and this has been a really hard phase in regards to playing. I have an 8mo too and I dread playing sometimes.