Playing with children while having fun

For some parents, it is a horror when the kids again knocks with the memory in his hand in the door or in the small wants to build a cave together with dad and looks at one with big pleading eyes. How to discover the "fun of the game" again as an adult, you can find out here.

"Dad, are you playing hide-and-seek with me?" - "Dad, are you building a Lego tower with me?" - "Dad, can we play Indians? I'm the chief and I'll tie you to the chair, ok? "Every dad knows about these or similar challenges in everyday life. Unfortunately, it is often the case that you put your child off later or never, because .... because .... yes, why actually?

The playground dad

Sometimes you see fathers playing in the playground, frolicking with their little ones like there's no tomorrow. And it does not get too stupid for them to slip down the same slide for the thousandth time with their son or spend hours digging in the sand. They seem to enjoy it. A little way off you can see the fathers sit, the envy of watching the whole bustle. Why can not those playing abstainers develop this joy of playing with their rascals? Are you missing the "game gene"?

Often your own dislike of play is related to the experiences in your own childhood. Maybe these dads have also often played for and with themselves. Especially in rural areas, a culture of playing with one's own children was not and is not very pronounced. Door open, child out, door closed. Were there even more siblings, then the topic "Daddy, do you play with me?" Anyway done.

Different game types

On the other hand, there are also different types of games. Some men are more playful than others: they also play regular poker games with other adults in their spare time, go to adventure parks or play frisbee in the meadow. Of course, these men find it easier to get involved in playing with their children. Who is an avid footballer on the weekend, he also likes to kick with the boys in the garden. If you like role-playing games, you can make your own puppet theater with the kids and practice demonstrations. If you are a spiritual inventor, you also love making a puzzle with your son or daughter.

But there are also men who do not have this play instinct. The proverbial "child in man" is less pronounced. Or maybe just spilled - job, stress and Feierabendmüdigkeit thank. That's why they do not love their children any less and do not need to jealously survey the other, playful dads with a penchant for guilty conscience.

It's about time!

The kids do not really care if dads play Playmobil, Barbie or Catch with them. They are about the time they would like to spend with the fathers. And there you can certainly find middle ground, where both can have a lot of fun. So if you are not the classic type of dad, then maybe you can warm yourself up with other things: reading books, telling stories, working together or cooking together, taking a trip to the zoo or the football field.

Sometimes you only have to get involved once in a game with the kids. And the fun comes all by itself. A lot of people-don't-you-don't-have-been-to-know, often turns out to be an evening fun-highlight. A supposedly annoying Lego afternoon can sometimes develop into a creative pursuit of architectural preferences.

Playing wants to be learned?

However, parents should keep a few rules when playing with the kids, so that both parties enjoy it: Do not criticize and improve your child while playing. If you interfere too much, the child soon loses the joy of playing together and frustration is spreading - among all involved. You do not have to "teach" your child while playing. Because the child is the "game expert". Let's have a look at completely new, extravagant rules of the game. This can be extremely fun.

Do not confuse "play" with a "break-clown-existence". You do not have to play your child. Degrade your children not only to mere spectators. The little ones (and even big kids) should find out for themselves how games work, how they can live their imagination and discover themselves in it. If you can accompany them in the game a little bit, let them sit on the chair, grab a game of memory with your 5-year-old (you'll lose anyway !!) or dare to play a 1000-piece game. Puzzle of Neuschwanstein Castle. You will see: this can be really entertaining and funny!