Are you a 'fun' parent?

[sunnyday123]

We started a family night once a week a few years ago after someone told DD we weren't a "family" because her dad doesn't live with her.

We ususally watch a movie, play a board game or something like that. It cracks me up though, because we usually do that EVERY night anyway. She just likes to have a designated family night.

But I am always the one outside playing with the kids. All the other parents on my street kinda look at me funny, and I'm usually apologizing for laundry being on the couch, but all the kids tell me I'm fun. Some of them come over when DD isn't here and just hang out on the porch with me.

I want my house to be the "fun house" when she's older ( partly so I can keep an eye on the little buggers ) but I also want her and anyone else to know they can talk to me about stuff. Things today are so hard for kids.

 

[Pigeon]

No, I'm not fun. I have an 11 yo who thinks I'm the meanest mother on the planet.

My 8yo is a little more tolerant.

 

[mickeyboat]

No, I'm not fun. I have an 11 yo who thinks I'm the meanest mother on the planet.

My 8yo is a little more tolerant.

I think my kids would vote that I am not fun, too. We are a work before play kind of family for the most part, and 3rd graders don't like that. That isn't to say we don't have fun, but it's not all about fun at our house.

Denae

 

[Karen in San Diego]

Yes, I'm fun. I laugh, talk, and joke with my kids all the time. We listen to music together, and I show an interest in whatever they're interested in. We do fun things I know they'll like when time and money allow. My older DS19 is into sci fi, especially Star Trek. I took him to Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas and the Star Trek traveling exhibit at our local museum twice, and it was just the two of us both times. We had a great time. My younger DS17 is into music and target shooting. I took him to see AC/DC in December and we go to the firing range together every few weeks. He's also my Disney/rollercoaster fan, so we go to California Adventure every few months. Again, it's just the two of us, and we have a lot of fun together.

 

[ntsammy5]

We all drink beer together so I guess I am!

 

[RadioNate]

yes and no - I'm bad at playing boy things. I would be thrilled to never see another Lego again. I do ok with the Wii but I'm terrible at other video games so DS doesn't want to play with me.

DS loves to be outside and do outdoorsy things and that just isn't me but I try to get out daily to ride bikes or throw the ball around. He says I'm bad at that too but that he appreciates the effort.

I'm better with DD but she is still really little.

We do try to do family things like movies, wdw (we are local) and other outings but the day to day in the house stuff isn't really all that fun.

Looking back, my mother wasn't a 'player' either but we have a great relationship and she was an excellent parent. My dad was much more fun and always playing with us. But he was a crummy dad. I think you can be a fun parent but you got to remember the parent part. That is something my dad forgot.

 

[NVDisMom]

It depends on the day, I think. Some days I'm the meanest mommy ever...other days I'm the best...according to my 11 yo. LOL
We killed cable almost a year ago, while it might suck to not be able to turn on a favorite tv show, its nice b/c we have the time and inclination to play cards or a board game. Or play kareoke (sp?)or, or, or. During the summer we spend a ton of time camping and at the pool. In winter we go skiing most Sundays, with ice skating and marshmallow roasting after. The kids friends like coming with us, so we must be doing something right! Tonight my 11yo thinks I'm pretty cool. She is having her friends over for a sleepover with a sundae bar, soda, and chips to munch on. She rarely gets these things. I just don't buy them. But I'm not gonna jump into the middle of the sleeping bags and talk girl talk with them...DH and I will retire to our bedroom and watch a movie and enjoy a glass of wine and leave the gigling to them!

btw- we are a work before play family to. Chores need to be done before you get to pop that dvd in or go to the pool. Parenting is such a balance.

 

[JohnsonsLoveDisney]

Between DH and I, Yes.

My girls are 8, 3, and 1 so I am fun to them in different ways i guess. We used to have a movie or game night once a week when it was just 1 DD. But watching a movie (really watching and hearing the people talk w/.out subtitles) and playing board games, kind of went out the window when DD #2 came along. But shes getting better at sitting still and playing games and watching movies etc.

I like to take them places, movies, the science center etc. and we do tons of crafty projects.

The funest thing in our house right now is PlayDoh they all love to play it. and i dont mind the mess. just let it dry and sweep up.

DH on the other hand used to be great about playing barbies and stuff with them. now he just sleeps on the couch.

I have a friend that thinks that I am the meanest mom around. because my girls have to be respectful of people and follow the rules and use manners. But her DD is ALWAYS wanting to be at my house. go figure.

 

[PatsGirl]

I don't think I'm a fun Mom but I'd like to be

I played with each of my kids alot when they were babies and toddlers but not so much once they got into school. I do take them lots of places like vacations, day trips, museums, restaurants, parks, that sort of thing but I'm not much for cards or board games and I really don't enjoy what they enjoy. DS was into sports and video games, me not so much DD was always a girlie girl, loved dressing up and her baby dolls and now likes to shop and do tween stuff, me not so much

I do like to teach them new things and experience new things with them though and they seem to enjoy doing it with me as well so... it's not all bad

 

[poohfriend77]

The funest thing in our house right now is PlayDoh they all love to play it. and i dont mind the mess. just let it dry and sweep up.

This is my philosophy, too. I had a friend ask me how to deal with the mess. She looked at me in HORROR and said, "You mean you just LEAVE it there until it DRIES!" Yep. And we also have (gasp!) Moonsand!

My two girls are 6 and almost 4, and they play so well together that I'm starting to feel a little left out, lol. So I jump at the chance to join in when they want me to.

 

[AmazingGrace]

I love doing fun stuff with my kids. We gang up on my dh and play jokes on him. We play jokes on each other all the time. We like to play hide and seek. Only with a twist. When one of the kids are counting, the rest of us get into my car and drive away.
When ever we have a real cold snap, I'll make hot cocoa and we'll put away the homeowrk and just play board games all afternoon. It's like a tradition.
I love going for walks with my kids. My oldest especially likes this. it's his cance to tell me what's going on with him.

 

[Bluestars]

I think I am a fun parent. When my kids were little I would sit there on the floor playing Nintendo with them. I remember my daughter's boyfriend coming over and saying, "I wish my mom did stuff like that with me."

We do lots of things as a family. When my husband played softball, our entire family went to the games and would grill out afterwards with the rest of the team. My youngest loves baseball, so we spend a lot of time doing that.

We also play the WI together and go to movies all of the time. We'll go biking and hiking together too. I think it's so important to spend time with the kids.

When my boys were younger, I used to read the Harry Potter books to them each night. Stuff like that.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I do many, many fun things with my family, but I am also the heavy in the family. Ask my kids, and they would say no. In fact, ask anyone and they would say no. The sad thing is that I would love to be less of the heavy, but it is a role that only I am equipped to handle in my family. I can live with that. My boys need a father right now, not another friend...

 

[PatsGirl]

Disney BamaFan ~~ I agree and I'm pretty much in the same boat. It's hard to be Mom and Dad because I believe it's more important that the kids get the discipline and structure than it is to have the fun and soft-side that two parent families can give. There is no good cop-bad cop in one parent households