‘Playing with my children feels like a waste of time’

“When my children reached toddlerhood and started playing more and more, it really felt like a challenge for me,” admits Mandy. “It also made me feel guilty: there is so much in the house that needs to be done – playing doesn’t work out.”

Be productive

Mandi put it off: ‘I just said to myself that I would play with the kids’ later’. But now I know that that moment will not come anymore. And where for years I felt that my dislike of playing meant that I was a bad mother, now I know better. After all, there is enough that I am good at. ‘

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For example, Mandi loves to stroll through the garden or the park with her children. ‘Looking for insects, bugs and plants. Or lapping the water on the beach – at times like that I’m in my element. ‘

Cooking with her children: another favorite activity. “Ten minutes of playing with LEGO feels like a waste of time, but standing together in the kitchen for ten minutes is fun and productive,” she explains. “I also love going to the library with my children and reading books.”

Pat on the back

Her husband takes on the ‘heavy work’: he sits on the ground to build and play. “The children may share less toys with me, but they still get a lot of love,” says Mandi. When I recently realized that, my guilt disappeared. I even pat myself on the back now. My children receive love and attention from me in different ways – and that’s what it’s all about. ‘