Michele Sears

Hi Heather,

I just wanted to write (I have rarely posted here) that I too have had a hard time playing with my kids over the years (they're 2,6, and8), and have often felt guilty about it. What I have done when they ask me to play stuff I don't want to (which is usually make-believe stuff as well - the pretending and Barbies and voices and all), is tell them that I love to play games (board games), read books, bike, blow bubbles, play chase.....I give them a list of things I do enjoy doing. As I'm writing this, I'm realising that this list has grown over the years. Perhaps, as I accepted where I was at with "playing" with my kids, I've learned to enjoy even more. I think the list may have initially been just reading books! I still don't like make-believe, but I do feel more flexible now than I did before.

Anyways, when I was reading your post about feeling like a terrible parent, my heart went out to you. I can't think of a parent I know that hasn't felt that, many, many times. It feels terrible! Especially when we feel absolutely sure that it's true. Someone told me something the other day that really helped - maybe you'll feel inspired too. "Don't compare your insides to somebody's outsides". Brilliant, eh?

Best wishes!

Michele



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