Real Talk: making time to play with my toddler

Apr 4, 2013


So...I'm not a good player. I'm really not.
 I'll just put that out there right now. Ha. It baffles me how some moms seem able to entertain and play games with their kids all day...props to you, mama! 
I am a good worrier though! I worry sometimes if I play with my daughter enough, if I give her enough undivided attention on a daily basis..etc. It may seem silly, but it is something I think about. I don't want to be a boring and too-busy-to-bother mum!

I clean my house, I tackle blog work, I cook, we go on walks and to the park...and during all of that I am present to Moo. She's always with me, following me...we toddler chat back-and-forth and of course I fulfill her needs. Still. I sometimes feel like I need to make a bigger effort to slowwww down and just sit with her once a day- no iPhone, computer or anything like it allowed within a 10 foot radius...b/c as you can see I couldn't resist Instagram-ing her coloring ;). lol. 

I don't even think I need to "entertain" her, per say. I just need to be fully present. Ya dig? Anyone else dealing with this? 

So...I started something new this morning- something I hope will stick and make Moo and I closer in a new and special way. 
I put everything down at 9 am and simply sat with her, played "bocks" (blocks) and colored on two big sheets of paper on the floor, & read books...for 1 hour. Just 1 hour. I could see she was soaking it up...I think she was surprised almost that I wasn't rushing off to tackle the next project. Most days I am running around like a mad woman- keeping our home clean, errands, working on the blog and meeting other deadlines.
 I noticed how this time was not only calming for her but for me also. It was actually really lovely!

Day-to-day mom life can be crazy. So crazy. 
I almost get lost in it sometimes, but I am coming to the realization that I need...need to make some time for my little toddler. One day she may not have the luxury of having just me for an hour every day...or she may not even want it anymore *sniff*.
I want us both to have that time now. I'm going to do my best to make it a daily priority. :)

Anyways, that's my little random Real Talk ramble. I'd love to hear from you too!

ps. I am wayyy behind in the Wallis competition, but I think I can make it to the top 5...only with your votes! :) Vote here
       

7 comments:

  1. i TOTALLY agree! i am not a good player either. :( i generally only have weekends to do so, but it's usually like while i'm doing another thing too. :( this is a great reminder!

    xo,
    Sandy
    Sandy a la Mode

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  2. completely agree with you! i am not a good "player" either. i run out of ideas all the time other than wagon rides or going to the park . it's good to hear other moms struggle with this as well. :)

    www.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.com

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  3. I am with you 100% on this! I have such a hard time playing with Jude. I am always running around and not really spending time with him. Is hard to make that time happen. Setting a time to play for an hour is a great idea, thanks for sharing!

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  4. I feel the same way. I try to set aside time so that she can have my absolute undivided attention. It seems that no matter how much of that time we have together I always have Mommy guilt. There's always something that needs to get done and I feel bad when I can't play with her every time she wants me to. It's good to hear that other Moms struggle with this too.

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  5. I'm in the same boat - NOT a good player. I constantly feel guilty. Thanks for the post. It helps to know I'm not alone!
    :-)
    Brooke

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  6. What a sweet post :) You're a wonderful mother!

    Stop by sometime, xo Natalie
    lavagabonddame.com

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  7. I can relate, I'm bad at playing too. And I never thought that would be the case but it is....so we stick to coloring and playing catch or swinging. It's the imaginative play I struggle wit. I think its because I can't quiet my mind enough. Working on setting some time apart to be fully present with my boys too! I think it truly means the world to them even if they can't quite express it.

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