Engaged at playgroup, disengaged at home.

Does this happen to you? You take your children out of the home for an activity, and you are actively participating in what they are doing. You help them out, you play with them, you encourage their imagination. However, at home, you would rather your kids play on their own while you get housework done, or cook dinner, or even (gasp), sit down to read a book.

This is understandable if it a specific activity, like a cooking session, or family music classes. I find this phenomenon presents itself at regular old playgroups, places where the children are encouraged to play independently, or sometimes with other children. I find myself much more engaged in my children's play when we are at playgroup, even though we have similar toys at home. I am more likely to help them build a train track, or make funny Mr. Potato Had faces at playgroup. If we are at home, I will expect my kids to construct Lego, or play Dinosaur Train on their own. In fact, I get frustrated when they want me to put down my book, and pay with them.

Now, part of the issue might be that most mornings, I have taken taken my children to a playgroup, and I have been actively involved in playing with them. I do not have a smart phone, or any other distracting technology with me. I interact with other parents at playgroup, but I am also focused on helping my children play well with others, and making sure they are having fun. By the time we are back hone, I am ready for a little down time, or even some "me" time.

Another issue is the use of my iPad as an ereader. My children know I have games on the iPad as well, and if they see me using it, they want me to play Angry Birds, or let them use the device to play the kids apps I have downloaded for them. They don't quite seem to understand I might just be reading a book, except, it is on my iPad.

Do you feel you are a better parent outside of the home, or are you really good at keeping your children occupied, playing, and engaged without resorting to the use of the television to keep them quiet? A friend of mine suggested a Pintrest board called Toddler Busy Bags for ideas to entertain your kids. She runs a daycare, so she needs to come up with a way to keep the kids busy. Maybe I will get working on some of these projects. My son is starting to give up his afternoon nap, which means I need to find things to do with him in the afternoons now.

http://pinterest.com/rebeccalees/toddler-busy-bags/


http://servingpinklemonade.blogspot.ca/2011/01/quiet-book.html

 

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