Reply to Is there anyone who really struggles with parenting and doesn't enjoy it?

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Reply to "Is there anyone who really struggles with parenting and doesn't enjoy it?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=jsmith123]OP I don't think what you're saying is abnormal at all.  I read some well-regarded parenting book (I forgot which one though) that basically says no parent should be at home for most of the day with small children.

Over time I have discovered that what works for me is the following:

1) Outside whenever possible.  A walk to a neighborhood book house.  Geo caching.  A playground.  A hike.  Whatever.  Anything outdoors is better than indoors.
2) When we are stuck indoors, I do stuff around the house, and the kids either start entertaining themselves, or they help me.  Things like laundry, cooking, etc.  If they say they're bored, I can say "Oh great! Come help with dinner" and then either come help, or find something else to do :)

Example: Last weekend when it was raining, I reorganized a closet and the kids were super entertained by the random crap I found in the closet, while I got my project done.[/quote]

I think it might have been "The Gardener and the Carpenter" which was very good but I didn't finish because, well, kids. But the thesis is that for all of human history kids learned by just hanging out and observing. Many other cultures around the world still raise children like this. We don't need to entertain them and in fact do them a disservice by doing so.

It's hard but I'm trying to be better at just telling them to find something to do while I do my own thing. Only boring people get bored![/quote]

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