I need to stop feeling guilty!

[Calluna]

I feel this way too sometimes. I totally agree with Nai. It's not like you just put her down and leave her all day to sort herself out- you do play and talk with her, you spend time with her going for walks etc.

Hayley is a happy, healthy, THRIVING little girl. You are doing an excellent job. Please dont doubt yourself (easier said than done I know).

[misty]

I have three of them and there are times throughout the day, everyday, where they will all be in the same room as me, but all playing their own little games quietly by themselves. I think it is a good thing, it shows that they can be independant and amuse themselves, it shows they use their imaginations.

Don't feel guilty if they are happy by themselves - children need individual time just as much as adults do.

[Shanti]

you're doing just great!

I used to worry if I was spending enough time playing with DD throughout the day, and I also used to worry if I was in her face too much and not letting her explore on her own enough!!!! we are so hard on ourselves as Mothers.... we do such a wonderful job too!!!!

Watch your little girl's signs, if she's happy and content playing with something, and you're nearby and she can see you are close to her, then let her play with whatever she is doing and just make sure you're attentive to her if and when she needs you to talk to her or something. That's what I do with DD. Other times, she will come and get me and wants me to join in with her so then i'll sit down with her and give her the time she needs from me, reading, building blocks whatever it may be.
She helps me alot with folding the washing, putting things away, now that shes 17mo she wants to help mummy with everything and i let her... sure it takes longer but it's fun and she's learning along the way!!

Remember play on their own is really important for their development.... allows them time to be creative and explore their world around them. And they know Mum is just sitting over there for when they need her

We go to swim classes, music classes, playgroup and all those things count as spending quality time together too remember!!

go easy on yourself hun.

[~Kim~]

The fact that you're even aware, means that you're doing a good job.

For a long time I felt that guilt. You read a lot about other people 'doing' stuff with their kids, and I always felt that we never had organised activities or crafts or formal learning oppotunities. But my kids are happy to hang out together and do their own thing. Finally i can rejoice that. Sure I suggest stuff to do but mainly we just exist together. They do their work (play) and I do mine.

mate. I know exactly what you mean.