WANTED: Child Entertainment team

Sometimes, I find it hard to remember, that my 'job description' as a parent isn't the same as that of a children's party entertainer.  I shouldn't be thinking that I need to be 'fun' all the time, but, I have to admit that sometimes, I do feel guilty when I say 'no' to something my LG wants to do.

Yes, I want the best for my LG. Yes, I want her to experience great fun family times.  I want her to have the opportunity to do and see new things. But, I do need to remember that it's not actually my job to make sure she's constantly entertained.  That there's always something for her to do.  hings to do.

Sometimes I feel guilty because I have to say no to doing fun things with her. I don't say no because I don't want to do the fun stuff.  But sometimes, I do just need to get things done, to do the shopping or run errands, or just get to the end of the build up of chores and housework (less likely to happen now than in the past mind!).

And then I feel guilty.  Guilty that I'm not being a good Mam.  That my LG is missing out on things all of her friends ar getting to do.

The bit I need to remember.  The really important bit of raising my daughter, is that I need to teach her to understand and appreciate the balance.  By teaching her that, I'm also making sure that she doesn't always expect to do something.  To have something.  And that helps her to learn to appreciate the special things for what they really are - special, treats, not expected every day occurrences.

But sometimes, I find it hard.  Hard to say no. Or hard to make her do her jobs aroound the house instead of leaving her to play. Because, sometimes, I just want to get it done quickly, or I'm too tired and I don't want to deal with the inevitable wingeing.

I need to remember that I'm not letting her down when I have to do 'boring' things instead of fun things.

Doing the boring things makes room for the good things.

So there should be no guilt if sometimes I have to say no to the fun things. Because if I don't say no sometimes, then my LG will never remember the fun times.  never associate those memories with special events.  because there'll be too many of them for them to be special.

I need remember that. And, sometimes, I need other people to remind me.  When my LG is complaining, when she keeps asking. Because, actually, finding your own fun is really important.  It's a skill we all need to develop.  And I need to help her to develop it.