Mama will you play with me?

How many times have I heard these words this week? Too many to count! And to be quite honest, when I do get asked this question I usually don't leap for joy. I usually look like a deer in headlights trying to think of a response. I have had more older women tell me than I can count to "savor this age" and "you'll regret not spending more time playing than cleaning." I understand that and totally agree, but lets just be honest... after you spend hours playing, that load of laundry is still unfolded, dinner isn't made, and those bills will sit another day on your desk waiting. And another thing... in the past 5 years I think I have lost my imagination. Really I have. It made me sad at first. It may have to do with the fact that Ryan's idea of play right now involves swords, guns, chases, and tackles. (My sister and I didn't exactly pretend play this way) So, I'm having to cope with this. I don't want to be that mom that never plays, but I do also have quite a few things to get done in the course of a day.

So, I came across this article in Parent Magazine this month that was pretty good. It said when your child asks to play with you instead of that "deer in headlights" look to respond with "Yes and..." This is suppose to help you get started with the pretending. So, if Ryan says, "Mom, play outside with me," my answer should be "Yes and I will be knight chasing the dragon!" or "Yes and I will push you on the swings first!"

I still feel firmly that children (at Ryan's age) should play mostly with other children and themselves for the majority of the day, but I decided that at least for one hour a day (after lunch and before quiet time) I will play and pretend and totally BE that dragon or knight or whatever and get my pretend on! So, yesterday I was having sort of a yucky day for lots of small reasons and Ryan said "Mom, come play with me!" So, I tried it out and said, "Yes! And I will be the leaf monster outside and chase you!" Ryan looked at me and smiled a smile of disbelief. lol - I could tell he didn't know what to think. So, we ran outside, threw leaves, tackled, built a pretend campfire, roasted marshmallows in it and slept under the stars (for about 5 minutes) =) And guess what? It totally changed my day. I smiled, laughed and forgot about the dirty dishes and truly didn't care for the time. And I think I learned something...that kid is still in there and so is the imagination...it's just been covered up by the day to day of this world. And that hour a day may do more for me than for Ryan. =)