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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I realized that there are very few things that are enjoyable to do with my young children (4 and 1.5). Everything that seems like it could be fun - going out to a restaurant, going to the playground or pool, going on vacation, etc. are really just stressful. I’m wondering if there are things you do with your children that are actually fun for everyone. I would hate to look back and feel like I unnecessarily just suffered through this part of life when things could have been fun.[/quote]

If there is a hell, it will be me stuck in a crowded restaurant with slow service and two starving kids aged 1 and 4.

Mine have a similar age gap as yours. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who found the playground stressful. I thought "AITA?" Their abilities are so different and you're getting pulled in two directions. Most 4YO can navigate a playground independently, but you have all the "look at me!" while you're trying to keep the 18MO from doing who knows what.

It's OK if not everything is fun and it's fine to admit that some stuff is really a pain. Agree with others that you need to keep your expectations low. And kids don't need much to have fun. Buy some sidewalk chalk, a bubble machine. Make cookies or bread, give them each their own bowl and don't worry about the mess (I admit this one is hard for me and I was gritting my teeth the entire time).

My (now-ex) DH would take the older one on longer outings and I'd hang back with the younger one, or vice-versa. That really helped and the older one loved getting one-on-one time with either parent.[/quote]

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