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- Ask Home Insemination Kit: I Dislike Playing with My Kids
Updated: March 24, 2021
Originally Published: March 24, 2021
Welcome to the Ask Home Insemination Kit advice column, where our team of “experts” tackles your questions about life, love, body image, friendships, parenting, and any other perplexities you might have.
This week’s question: How do you cope with the guilt of being a mom when playing with your kids feels like a chore?
Dear Home Insemination Kit,
I’m a stay-at-home mom with two kids, ages five and three. Since I’m home with them all day, I feel like playing should be a big part of my “job description,” especially since they constantly ask me to join in. But to be honest, I absolutely dread it. My daughter runs the show during playtime, dictating every move, and my son wants me to crawl around or chase him, which I never enjoyed even as a kid. It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with them; I just find the type of time they want to be utterly draining. Then I’m hit with a wave of guilt for feeling this way. Help!
I totally get it! My kids are older now, but I can assure you that not enjoying playtime is more common than you might think. It’s hard to have fun when your child is instructing you on which toy to be and what dialogue to follow. Plus, crawling around on creaky knees while staring at a dirty floor is no one’s idea of a good time.
My first piece of advice is to find activities you can enjoy with them. For me, that often meant taking a lazy approach. For instance, my kids had a doctor kit, and I would just lie on their bed while they poked and prodded me with plastic tools. They were entertained, and I got to take a mini-nap. Win-win! I also enjoyed playing “restaurant,” where they would serve me Goldfish crackers from their toy kitchen. And then there was “painter,” where they would draw on my back with paintbrushes, and I would guess what they made, allowing me to rest on my stomach.
Another tip is to recruit others who genuinely love playing with kids. I was fortunate to have a brother who relished being the fun uncle and a husband who could manage a few rounds of horsey rides. Did I pass off playtime to them? Absolutely!
Lastly, consider other quality time activities that don’t involve traditional play. You could go for walks, bake cookies, read books aloud, or watch funny animal videos online. Doing these activities together allows you to spend time with your kids without the pressure of play. After all, how much fun would you really be as a playmate if you’re not enjoying it?
As someone who has been through this phase and come out the other side—my kids are now tweens and teens—I can assure you that our close relationship was not hindered by my lack of playtime. What your kids want most is your presence, not necessarily what you’re doing together.
For more insights, check out this other blog post. Also, if you’re looking for quality information on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Women’s Health. And if you’re seeking a reliable home insemination kit, Cryobaby is a great authority on that topic.
Summary
It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by the expectation to play with your kids. Instead of forcing yourself into activities you dislike, find ways to engage that feel more enjoyable for you, like relaxing while they play, or involving family members who love to play. Ultimately, your kids value your presence over the specific activities you do together.