tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33383518.post116102220779271164..comments2016-11-27T16:35:45.076-06:00Comments on Hootiepalooza: Mother GuiltTrasihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895391457041922055noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33383518.post-9065383195775650252007-07-01T20:15:00.000-06:002007-07-01T20:15:00.000-06:00Oh, God love yah. You described my life and myself...Oh, God love yah. You described my life and myself exactly. And my daughter. You are so not alone. I love this child desperately, but playing with the dollhouse (she is four) is repetitive and excruciatingly dull. A co-worker very calmly and happily said, "Oh yes. I hate playing on the floor with my son. HATE IT. Love him. HATE IT." <BR/><BR/>The timer thing works. I'm struggling, too. I'm a single mom, and it's relentless. I do not believe we're meant to play with them all day. I'll check back if I find more that is helpful. I've been trying to enlist her in helping me do work. Today, we painted the shed together. She did a really good job. I noticed she was much better afterwards. She drifted off and played by herself. I think we probably are meant to be the adults, and include them more in our doings (not showering or hot stoves, as you say!). <BR/><BR/>But, lord oh lord to I exactly feel your pain. I googled "guilt not enjoy playing with child" and you popped up. It's really hard. I think there's a lot of nonsense out there about being at our kids' levels all the time... I keep remembering the point is to raise them up to ours. I think what they want is to be in our world, not really vice versa so much. How to do...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33383518.post-11938720766009524982006-11-02T17:11:00.000-06:002006-11-02T17:11:00.000-06:00God, that is so hard. My kid's not even 2 and the ...God, that is so hard. My kid's not even 2 and the tediousness of playing with a toddler was one of the things that drove me back to a non-SAHM job (well, that a crushing consumer debt, but who's counting?). I think it's totaly normal for her to be like this, but I also don't think your job as a parent is to necessarily give her whatever she wants all the time. One thing a toddler book I love recommended is to set a timer and tell her that within that time is her SPECIAL time and you'll play whatever she wants. Set it for whatever you can do, and ham it up so it's special. That way she gets the attention she needs, but feels special because you've taken time out to focus just on what SHE wants. It can also be a reward for good behavior--like, if your comment at Sweet Juniper's any indication, sleeping in her own bed all night. :) Good luck.the stefanie formerly known as stefanierjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15013458822395746109noreply@blogger.com