Husband refuses to “play” with kid.

[Anonymous]

Are you the kind of mother who will offer visiting relatives to bathe your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you the kind of mother who will offer visiting relatives to bathe your kids?

What a weird non sequitur.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Men are notorious for doing only what they feel like doing. Whether your kids needs to learn how to ride a bike, swim or tie shoes, he probably will not do it either because he won't feel like going outside, getting wet, going to the playground or whatever.

Men are also “notorious” for earning more money and abusing children leas than women. Maybe we could discuss things without resorting to cheap gender stereotypes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't like playing with my kids all the time when they were little either. I would have preferred to write and invoice or make a spreadsheet. Now once they could talk and reason, I was all over the parenting and learning. I intentionally hired a nanny with the skills I lacked. DH was a bit like me, except he was more confident stuffing the kids in a hiking pack and going outside. I felt like they just wanted to pull my hair out - my husband is bald, so it didn't bother him. For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter... just be patient.

This + 100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Men are notorious for doing only what they feel like doing. Whether your kids needs to learn how to ride a bike, swim or tie shoes, he probably will not do it either because he won't feel like going outside, getting wet, going to the playground or whatever.

Men are also “notorious” for earning more money and abusing children leas than women. Maybe we could discuss things without resorting to cheap gender stereotypes?

Source oh the last one? That sounds like a heartbreak

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what? Most men don't play with little kids.

My DH is the breadwinner by far and has always been better at playing with the kids than me. And often has surprisingly insightful reads on their personality and likes/dislikes, despite spend less time with them than me.

I wouldn't be bragging about this

Why not? One parent is always going to be better at playing with the kids (unless they are equal) so why not the DH?

I do some things better than him - like cooking and reading with them, playing tag or soccer in the backyard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of men don't relate to little kids. Kids under 4 or 5. But he'll take a load off when the kid is a teen and you can't handle the kid.

This is a long road, OP. Don't force to play with a 2-year-old and he'll step in when the kid is older and you can't deal.

This makes me feel better. I wasn't thinking long term. Glad to hear from those with older kids. I’m in the thick of toddlerhood. Thanks.

Yep same here, once our son turned 4 he was and continues to be more involved to the point that kid now prefers dad

[Anonymous]

My guess is that he's somewhat afraid of "doing it wrong"--afraid she'll get hurt on his watch or that she'll cry. That would explain why he turns to the safety of a contraption like the stroller or playpen. The more one-on-one time that they get, the more confident he'll grow. Make sure that you're not giving him lots of warning and instructions, and that you don't criticize or swoop in when he's with her.
Babies and toddlers can be baffling creatures if you've never had any exposure to them and have no idea what is developmentally appropriate.