parenting

505 readers

1 users here now

✏ Rules

DO NOT DOXX YOUR KIDS - Seriously, use an alt for this comm or keep it vague; otherwise we’re centralizing info about everyone’s kids into a single place that can be easily focused on.
No jokes about dead kids - I don't care how much the romanovs deserved it, or how right John Brown was, save it for another comm.
No antinatalism struggle sessions

Join us on Matrix! #parenting:genzedong.xyz (read more here)

founded 3 years ago

MODERATORS

LENINSGHOSTFACEKILLA@hexbear.net

RedWizard@hexbear.net

Having a really hard time with imagination play/playing with toys (hexbear.net)

submitted 3 months ago by Acute_Engles@hexbear.net to c/parenting@hexbear.net

20 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have ADHD and was diagnosed as an adult. Even when I'm caught up on meds and everything I'm having a severe mental block when it comes to playing with dolls and action figures and similar toys.

My kid is just barely 4 and loves playing with toys now more than they ever have before. I feel like such a shit dad because it's so hard for me to give the scene my undivided attention and I clearly don't play for long enough intervals to satisfy them.

Any tips? They're an only child and i try to deflect and go outside or suggest books or arts and crafts but once again that makes me feel like I'm telling them what to play instead of playing with them.

I am looking for advice however i will say now that just powering through and playing with the dang toys works sometimes but not nearly as often as I'd like

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] jack@hexbear.net 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

To be clear, I'm asking as a fellow ADHD-having parent of a toddler. What do you go do instead?

[–] Acute_Engles@hexbear.net 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I end up suggesting we go outside or do something else until he relents. I really hate just leaving him to play on his own

[–] RedWizard@hexbear.net 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Have you ever played dungeons and dragons?

[–] Acute_Engles@hexbear.net 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Dungeon master for a 2 year strong weekly campaign

[–] RedWizard@hexbear.net 2 points 3 months ago

You have to bust those skills out at playtime, my guy! That's precisely the kind of muscle you have been building! Just pretend you have dice. If you reframe this playtime as adventure time in the Dungeon and Dragons sense, couldn't that break you out of this funk?