Reaching adulthood in life is quite commonly perceived as a more serious and work-only phase and having children ends the ‚¬"I think I'm not that old yet to quit playing‚¬ chapter almost entirely. We, however, believe otherwise. Playing isn't something that should be limited to children or teenagers only, nor should it boast an age or situation factor i.e. Having children of our own - it should be multigenerational, which is why today, we'll be addressing the dilemma of having a fun time even after you have kids.
Children love to be engrossed in talks with adults: it's a fact that almost every parent knows of. So why don't we try using the talkative trait to interact and play with your children? Not sure? Here's an example of how I put this into practice with my eight-year old daughter... She's been quite vocal ever since a tot and she's always been out to impress others (especially me) whether if it comes to colouring or making miniature sculptures with her Play-Doh set - so to promote her imagination and her competitive nature, I play with her and she always loves that. We colour and draw everything from surreal landscapes to cartoons and it always opens a door for interaction. We even sketch each other's portraits and share what needs changing in the final draft. And just last week, we held a Play-Doh competition to see who makes the best miniature pottery (She won). I understand how most parents feel they just don't have enough time to play with their kids but an hour a day with your little one can go a long way. And the best part, I actually have quite a fun time.
And if that isn't on the cards, you can always take them to outdoor playgrounds on the weekends. Most outdoor playground equipment you find these days in parks is aimed to be more multigenerational than ever before. Swings, see-saws and Ferris wheels are now sturdy enough to handle the weight of an adult so you don't have to worry about them collapsing. Think of games you and your kid can play together there or just sit on the swing and see which of you can go the highest. But not too high though...
And what if it's a Sunday and you have to attend the church? Well, what I normally do is leave my little one with the church playground equipment outside and once the procession is done with, I join her in the playground for a few moments. It's a fad that's quickly catching on at our neighbourhood church - more and more parents are actively engrossing themselves with their kids and promoting a more fun environment for other families after Sunday church.
There are tons of ways you and your child(ren) can have a good time and play together and the ones I've noted here are the simplest ones I try to follow through with mine. It is fun, promotes learning for the both of you and strengthens the parent-child bond - so why not you too try to devote your time with your kid from now on?