Do you get time to spend "quality play" time with your kids?

[aussienic]

I did notice I was spending less and less time enjoying the kids.. starting this week bugger the housework and i spent my afternoons colouring in or just playing on the floor with olivia. I notice the kids are more settled and I am feeling happier and am enjoying bieng a mummy again...

i still make time for the housework but I put my kids above it all now.. Only been 4 days and we are happier

[AnyDream]

Yep, I feel like this sometimes too. But be consoled, I did the Triple P parenting skills program recently and they said it's actually more important that you stop what you're doing and pay attention to the child for a couple of minutes when they come up to you throughout the day, than it is to schedule big slabs of 'quality' time together. The other big thing they emphasise is setting aside some time (it only needs to be 15-30 mins) for family time at the end of the day. That's usually cuddling up to read a story or playing a game/talking with older kids before bed time.

BTW ladies who claim to live in hovels...In my experience it's usually the neater cleaner ladies that complain about their hovel houses - the really slobby messy people don't even notice what they are living in!!

[BekZ]

I did notice I was spending less and less time enjoying the kids.. starting this week bugger the housework and i spent my afternoons colouring in or just playing on the floor with olivia. I notice the kids are more settled and I am feeling happier and am enjoying bieng a mummy again...

i still make time for the housework but I put my kids above it all now.. Only been 4 days and we are happier

Nic - I have decided to try and do this very thing. I feel that Sara needs me to role play with her and join it a bit. When Loren goes down for a nap I try and do an activity with Sara, it may only be 15mins but at least she knows that she has my attention all to herself. Same thing goes for Loren, altough Sara doesn't sleep anymore and she tends to want to take over all the games.

MD - Hello sweety!!!! I have often thought about doing the Triple P program. Did you enjoy it? We have family time most nights, and Sara seems to be more willing to go to bed us if we do have it.

[AnyDream]

Bek ! I found the program really useful, esp since DD1 has an auditory processing issue which means she drives us wild from not being able to follow instructions very well . I dragged DH along too, but yet to see if it's had any impact cos he's been o/seas since then. But they give you a book to go back to when you need it plus I'm pretty sure i could ring the ladies who taught it for ideas any time I need to.