A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I have a toddler daughter. I love her very much. But im going to b honest: i dont like kids, n now that i have 1, im still adjusting to the whole thing. I feel so awkward playing with her n trying to talk to her on a toddler level. Even my family laughs at me cuz they notice its very awkward. N to top it off, im a complete germ freak! I want my daughter n i to build a good, solid relationship. Can someone please tell me what r some fun activities a parent can do with a girl toddler? Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (12 January 2010): when i grew up my father never hugged us or told us we were loved, he never played with us or laughed with us. my mother on the other hand always had a smile, a hug, a kiss and would sit and draw with us, and was very patient.
now that we are older we are all close to our mother and love her dearly, but not one of us feel anything for our father, they are parted now and we do not even see him.
patients, time and love.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (12 January 2010): I think you should stop worrying about talking to your daughter is whatever is termed proper toddler talk. Just talk to her the way you want to talk to her, no one is in position to judge you for being who you are and handling parenthood the way you prefer and find best, as long as your daughters interests are being taken good care of. And I doubt she will take damage if you talk to her in a way that you are relaxed and comfortable with instead of trying to please people around you with toddler talk.
...............................
A
female
reader, pinktopaz +, writes (12 January 2010):
Hey, at least when the day comes I know I'm not the only person out there! I'm not that fond of kids either, but I know I want some one day. They make me a bit nervous and kids being kids, they can be really annoying. BUT I do tend to be more accepting of my family's children, I have 2 nephews and 1 niece all between 12-30 months, and they can be pretty fun.
I really like the advice everyone gave and caringuy gave some really good examples. One thing I've noticed all three of them like to play is kind of a hide-and-seek/peek-a-boo, it always cracks all of them up! They also have fun at the parks and zoos. Just play with them and act like a fool and try some educational things like books, I've also found that they're pretty big fans of enclosed spaces to hide under so if you make a fort with just a blanket and some taller things to hold it up that they can play under, they like that too. They usually do pretty good entertaining themselves, but they do like being around others, and it also seems to be a big time for development since they're learning words and what different things are. Just have fun with it all and don't worry too much; before you know it I'm sure you'll be missing her as a toddler as the years pass by.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (12 January 2010): I'm not very keen on children either although I have some! It took me 3/4 years to bond with them and even accept they were part of my life, I went through the routines but felt nothing. Things change when they can do things for themselves and can talk then it becomes much more interesting and you can relate to them better and they become fun. Tiring but fun. We are not all conditioned to feel love at first sight and sometimes these things just need time to grow.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (12 January 2010): Hiya, every parent is different and like you i didnt find it easy doing the playing thing with my toddler. Why not try and go to toddler groups or arrange to meet up with other mums and go to the local park so that the children can play together. You can be there for the support for your daughter and to give her the kisses and cuddles a child loves from their mum. And one other thing, might sound daft but try watching your daughter when she is playing from a distance, i found that doing this made me feel more love for her and seeing her enjoying play made it easier to join in as i wanted to see her face light up.Good luck x
...............................
A
female
reader, pebs +, writes (12 January 2010):
the fact that you are asking the question tells me that you are a good parent. Let the whole world laugh if they like just keep trying(may be just not so hard) playing will feel normal in time. find an activity that makes your child laugh, and you will repete it over and over regardless of how silly you look, simply to see her smile there is nothing that brings more joy than a childs laughter. as far as germs go they won't hurt you if you wipe them off once in a while.
...............................
A
female
reader, Aunty BimBim  +, writes (12 January 2010):
 I agree that lots of cuddles are very important, also read to her, even if you can only manage it at bedtime, join the library, they may also have free activities you can join in with, see if you have a playgroup nearby, these are very cheap to attend in Australia.
Caring guy also has some good suggestions, parks, playgrounds, daily nature walks, during autumn collect coloured leaves, during spring look out for caterpillars etc. Again check with you library for ideas on free or cheap things to do in your area.
...............................
A
female
reader, Angzw  +, writes (12 January 2010):
I'm sure you will get some good activities to do with your child from the other posters, but the one piece of advice I will give you is make it a point to cuddle and kiss your child at least once or twice a day every day. Even if you don't feel like it. Maybe just before bedtime, let her scramble onto your lap while you hug her and kiss her or just tell her how much you love her. I was not cuddled as a child and so I am not close to my mother and my teenage years were hell for both of us, but I promised myself to be different for my kids and although I often didn't feel like it, I did and still do this with them everyday. My now teenage daughter still gets this and we are very close and she is well adjusted, polite, and wonderful to have around. She does her chores without sulking, considerate and even tries to make dinner if I'm late coming home; and I truly believe that the years of daily cuddles and attention are paying off. Ofcourse there is more to raising a child including discipline and training; but I had disciplinarian parents but still became rebellious. All I remember thinking is why am I not loved. All the best; and enjoy these years and take lots of pics because they go by so fast.
...............................
A
male
reader, CaringGuy  +, writes (12 January 2010):
Apparently this is a normal thing. Sometimes parenthood can come as a bit of a shock, and there are plenty of others who have felt like you. The way to open up to a child, is to almost become like one (as stupid as that sounds). I don't have kids, but a friend does and I can only say that he had to almost let himself go. Take her to the park, and go on the swings and other kid stuff, take her out for walks and show her grass and flowers (again, I know it sounds mad). Take her to see animals at a zoo and explain what they are. Spend time trying to make her laugh, tell her stories. The point is you don't need to spend a lot, you just need to have that contact where you let yourself go and have fun as you one did when you were three or four. You will get there, and though you're awkward about kids at the moment, at some point it will fall into place, though I can't tell you when. But it will.
...............................
|
