Dad Says He Doesn’t Like Playing With His Kid And Asks If That’s Normal
As a parent, you’re familiar with that sweet stage when your baby is all giggles and coos, which swiftly transitions into the less enjoyable toddler phase. In fact, some might say it’s hardly enjoyable at all.
Parenting isn’t always a blast, and we don’t discuss this openly enough. Sure, there are magical moments, like your baby’s first smile or word. But then they become toddlers, constantly demanding playtime.
This is when I started questioning everything. Why did I dread playing with my child so much? I didn’t even know how to play with them, and it felt more like a dull task than quality time!
You can imagine my relief when I discovered I wasn’t alone, and many parents share this struggle. One dad asked Reddit how they felt about playtime with their toddlers.
“Does anyone actually enjoy playing with their child/children?”
A recent post on Reddit sparked a conversation among parents. It turns out many don’t really enjoy playing with their kids, especially when they’re toddlers. One dad began his post saying:
“Like most parents, I love my son and there are some truly wonderful moments mixed in with the challenging and exhausting ones. All pretty normal and expected.”
Before becoming a parent, he expected to enjoy these moments, but reality struck hard. He continued:
“But one thing’s been bothering me. Before becoming a parent, I thought playing with my child would be enjoyable… But it’s incredibly boring. I have to try really hard to seem interested and not show that I’d rather be doing something else.”
He realized that endlessly pushing toy cars wasn’t quite the parenthood dream.
I don’t think there’s a single parent who can say parenthood is exactly as they imagined. We all start this journey excited, envisioning it to be filled with endless joy and sweet moments.
Over time, that initial excitement fades, and we find ourselves in monotonous daily routines. This is when we discover that keeping a toddler entertained can be overwhelming and exhausting.
It’s not that we’re tired of our kids or don’t love them, far from it! We simply don’t find the same joy in the little things they’re discovering for the first time.
Feeling guilty is normal, but remember, this is a common part of parenthood and nothing to worry about.
The dad ended his post hoping things would change as his son grew older. Other parents chimed in with support and advice.
If you find playing with toddlers dull, you’re not alone
Reddit users quickly agreed with the dad’s feelings, sharing their own experiences and coping strategies.
The common consensus was clear; while playtime is essential for kids, it’s normal for parents to find it tedious.
One parent shared their difficulties with pretend games, enjoying board games but not playing with toys like Barbies. This resonated with many others.
They all agreed it’s challenging when kids want you to play along with their imagination in very specific ways. However, not everyone felt the same way:
“I love playing pretend with my 4-year-old. She has an amazing imagination and makes up fun, interesting scenarios that are entertaining to me. I also guide the game so we both enjoy it.”
Another parent honestly admitted:
“I don’t enjoy playing, to be honest. I do play and fake it for their sake, but I prefer activities like reading or art. I watch them play and let them tell me about it, but playing pretend makes me want to ram my head into a wall, so I keep that to a minimum.”
The dad found comfort knowing he wasn’t alone.
Some users shared their strategies for dealing with toddlers. Many parents only play when it’s something they also enjoy. Otherwise, they encourage their kids to play alone, which is also important.
The key is finding activities you both enjoy to make the most of your time together. Parenting is tough, with endless responsibilities, so don’t be hard on yourself!
It’s all about balance—ensuring your child’s development while also caring for your own well-being.
