Play!

We are big on play in our house! It is far to easy to turn the telly on and just plonk the kids in front of it, and what with all the phones and iPads and everything else they just seem to spend all there time looking at screens and not living in the real world!

Don't get me wrong I am no saint and we defiantly have movie days or I'm just so tiered that Netflix becomes my best friend for them that day, or if the little one is being a bit of a pickle I will give him my phone if we are out so not to make a scene!

But when I have my head in play mode we go all out. It doesn't have to cost a fortune, today we did messy play / imaginative cooking. It didn't cost a penny, all you need is bits that u have in your store cupboards. So all we did was fill a saucepan with water and gave both boys bowls filled with sweetcorn, couscous, pasta and raisins. It kept both boys entertained for at least 45 mins. ( it did take just as long to clear up ) The things Freddy was coming out with was lovely he was pretending to be a chef, a waiter and a daddy dishing out dinner. we made porridge, soup, pasta and even ice cream all from the ingredients above.

We are also very lucky to have a conservatory which we have changed in to the boys toy room. if I have the telly on they very rarely will go in there! The days we have Alexa on they are in and out there all day and they play together so nicely ! don't get me wrong we get the odd argument as one wants what the other is playing with but all in all they do play so much nicer when there are no screens on!

Outdoor play is one of our favourite way to play. I am one of them mums that will be jumping in puddles with our boys, and happily would make mud cakes or build a den in our local common area. we love walking down to our local park and having a good run around. the fresh air and exercise always helps for a good night sleep with our boys. Also Freddy loves making new friends and always finds someone to befriend.

Andy tends to get in from work at 18.00 and the boys will be bathed and in their pyjamas ready for him to get in! that when the real fun begins! Alexa comes on louder then ever with all sorts of songs being played. and either hide and seek or tag begins. then on to play fighting and throwing the kids on the sofa, and tickle fights. Not only is this all hidden exercise for us ! but it also tiers the kids out, before they go to be at 19.00 for stories and cuddles.

Play is such an important thing for children it helps their self esteem and confidence grow. it is also a good way to communicate with your child, as they tend to open up much more when they are playing and become excited to tell you things they have done and want to better them self's without realising.

Danii

xx