Parent/child Interaction

Yah-I do think that may be "too" much. It is good for them to do their own thing,,,even if it means that evil demon TV :-) They can play with eachother as well.

It's nearly impossible to spend too much time with small children unless the parents' involvement hinders the children's ability to play freely, explore, initiate interactions, or be creative. Children thrive developmentally and psychologically from consistent, regular, positive interactions with their parents. In order for parents to maintain this consistency and these positive interactions, though, they need to have some time to themselves and together. This time promotes emotional and physical regeneration as well as strengthens relationships. The more revitalized the parents are, the better the interactions will be with the children. This leads to a healthier and happier the family.

--D. Duval, PhD, LCSW
www.ChildTherapyChicago.com

For you or for them?

For you, yes, there is such a thing as TOO much interaction, tehehe.

For them, of course not. However it might be good for them to spend a teeny bit of time with a DIFFERENT adult.

:)

Only if it drives you nuts or creates stress.

No parent has to be a 24 hour entertainment center, for the kids.
Kids need to learn how to participate in the family too, do chores, be responsible and to play by themselves, too.
Sure, kids are young, they need supervision too. So you keep a balance.
My kids know, when Mommy has to do things too.
Although I am home with them everyday.

AND you need time away too. Which your Husband.. should understand.
So YOU schedule time away too.... or HIM take the kids out TOO.
It is only fair.
HE has to partake in the kids too and playing with them and taking them out. He is a parent too. You are not the kids constant babysitter, nor a babysitter/Mommy for him. He is too... a caretaker.

all the best,
Susan

by far yes, for them and for you, you need adult interaction or "breaks" and they need to learn to socialize with ppl their age

Perhaps your local library has a reading session for the children, and there will be other mothers there. Go to the playground! Even in the snow, just bundle up!

If you feel you need more breaks, then work to get them into your day. But don't feel like you're doing something wrong by spending all your time with them. I also have a 2 and 4 year old and they are with me ALL day. I cherish these times because they will end when they go to school. I am their very first teacher and right now I enjoy teaching them. And I don't mean just teaching ABCs or counting. I mean teaching them emotional intelligence like dealing with strong emotions and talking about how to solve problems (like fighting over toys) with each other. I feel I do this better than any preschool or daycare center where teachers have to care for many children at the same time. My boys get a lot of personalized attention. I know exactly what to do to calm a tantrum or how to redirect behavior precisely because I've spent a lot of time with them. I know them better than anyone else. I do encourage independent play and most of the time I get them going on a game (like stacking blocks, chasing each other, or mopping the kitchen floor) and then I step away and watch them play.
But it's not all perfect all the time. I do get worn out and tired of mediating dabacles or preparing meals, etc. One thing that has helped me immensely is getting the kids outside where they have room to roam. It's tougher in colder weather, but being out means they have more freedom and just having less arguments over toys means a break for me.
I think if you lose your patience a lot then it's time for a break. Call a friend, get outside. We do about a half hour to an hour of TV most days. I take that time to catch up on emails or have tea and relax. But really, kids just need a lot of interaction with a caring adult: that's how they learn correct behavior!!
There's a good book called "Hold On to Your Kids" by Gordon Neufeld that really opened my eyes about child development. One of the points of the book is that too much peer interaction at a young age could be harmful to kids. Parents and kids need to stay firmly attached and independence shouldn't be forced on the child before he or she is ready.
I'm not sure what I wrote is a good answer, but you have a vote of confidence from me that spending your days with your kids is not a bad thing. If you feel good most of the time, aren't resorting to a lot of yelling, and see your kids growing and learning good life skills, then you're fine.
I tell myself that their will be plenty of time for me when the kids are in school and then I'll probably miss these days!

Agree with Theresa N.

My mother directed virtually every moment of my early childhood except when she was at work. It was emotionally crippling to my sisters and me. She meant well, but that degree of entanglement left us with no freedom to find out who we were or how to solve our own problems.

I'm a SAHM with a 2 month old and a 2 year old. My 2 year old has always had naps, and when she stopped taking her morning nap, we replace it with "quiet time" where she plays quietly in her room (with the lights on and music playing) for about an hour each morning. She's now stopping her afternoon nap as well, and we'll also replace that with an hour of quiet time in the afternoons in addition to her morning hour. I think it's important for kids to have some alone time to engage in creative play and have time alone with their thoughts. But "too much" interaction is definitely better than too little. Do what feels right to you!

I did in-home daycare before my first was even born and continued to do it until last year. My girls are now almost 8 and almost 5 years old. I have never had a problem with my girls not being independent or not being out going. They both have both qualities. However, I was not only with mine, all day, every day, I also had other people's children with me. I made sure that I had a date night every weekend. My husband and I went out, one night,on the weekends, pretty much every single weekend. I needed it, and my kids needed it! I'm not kidding when I say that my kids needed it as well. Kids need it too! Did they cry, sometimes , when they were really little? Yes. Did they cry all of the time? No. Were they fine for the sitter 5 minutes after we left? Yes. You must make time for yourself and you need to make ALONE time for you and your spouse. If you can't do date nights every week , then go out alone one or two nights by yourself, but make sure you fit in a date night at least once a month. I'm teaching now so not with them 24/7 any longer. With the economy the way it is we are not going out every weekend any more, so now when the girls have a sitter, they are so happy it almost makes us sad. lol

At age 2 & 4, I think many children are spending a lot of time with a parent and I'm sure yours love every minute of it as attention from Mom or Dad is great at that age. I do think it is good for everyone to know how to entertain themselves though (I know adults who have a hard time with that!). If you are concerned, you could have some time each day where they need to play alone or with each other and not with you. That will also allow you some time to either get some things done that you need to do or just rest/re-energize. At 2 there may not be a lot of opportunities for activities without a parent but your 4 year old could attend pre-school or some park district activities without you. Or, if you have someone who could watch your children for a few hours to allow them some different interaction, maybe you could meet a friend or take a class during that time to allow you some different interaction as well. With mine older now though, I will say that the time does go by super fast so enjoy having them home all day while you can! Best Wishes!

Yes, they need to learn to play by themselves without adults. the four year old needs to learn to play with her peers.

yes you need to talk to and be around adults, find some leave the house without the kids you will be glad you did

I love my daughter, but I'd be in the looney bin being w/ her that much.

Of course there will be people telling you that. They of course are not paying your bills, making your meals or doing your laundrey. If you yourself are resenting it or finding yourself screaming at them constantly then take a break, but all too soon they will be heading into a world which will force them into being apart from you. There are so many of us empty nesters or people who lost their children somehow who would envy you this opportunity. Enjoy them!

Children need to interact with other children and they need to learn how to do things without mom right there to help or do for them. You need time to yourself so that you can be yourself and not be defined as A & B's mom because you have no life. Children need to develope independence and coping skills for when mom and dad are not around. Do them and yourself a favor. Find someone you trust and they like and take a day or two a month to do something for you. Hang out with your girlfriends if you have any or just go to the mall and window shop without a stroller. Let them learn to deal without you and you learn to deal without them. That will help make them well rounded children that can cope with different situations. You will not always be able to be there for them so help them now so when they go off to school they are not crying everyday for mommy.

Of course not, but as they get older they need to practice separation and how to interact with peers of their own age. Join some Moms groups such as on Meetup.com and still spend time with the kids and other like minded Moms.

Independence is one of the most important skills you can teach them. The other is being able to handle social situations ON THEIR OWN. So the most important two skills do not involve a grown up interaction at all.

I tell my daycare parents that my job is NOT to play with their children but to teach the children how to play. That should be your job as a parent as well.