Why does it have to be messed around? We know that interaction is important. We often think of talking, singing and playing. But frolicking is equally important. Children develop their muscles, build up a condition and learn what their own physical limit is. In addition, they also learn what the limit is for someone else. In addition to being good for their condition and physical development, it also contributes to their social mental development. For a child, this is also the time to challenge mom or dad. And above all, frolicking with your children is fun.
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The dictionary indicates that it is romping, fooling around and playing fighting. Of course, a lot can be included. In small children this can already be tickling, startling and throwing in the air. When they are a bit older, it quickly becomes a kind of pack combined with tickling. And when they are really old enough, many children also enjoy the rough work.
Sometimes people have the preconception that girls don't like to frolic much and that guys would only enjoy it. Not liking to frolic has nothing to do with gender, but with development. A child should have a sense of security. When that sense of security is not there, the most important condition for being able and willing to frolic is not present.
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When is frolicking still 'playing around' and not 'fighting'? It is very important to clearly indicate the boundaries while playing, because everyone should feel safe at all times. My rule is 'as soon as one person doesn't like it anymore, it's no more frolicking'. Then you must stop immediately. I used to play around with my best friend, my neighbor who is six months older. I went through life with him as a kind of Jip and Janneke 😉 . Then we only stopped as soon as someone was crying, because it often got pretty rough. For me, I think that was also the reason why I liked to play with boys, they didn't cry so easily and always wanted to play around.
I also played around with my father. I have no idea if I was playing with my mother too, I can't remember. But I do remember her often telling us to be a little more careful. I think mothers are much more careful about frolicking and are wary of the fathers being rough with the offspring while frolicking. Playing around with your children is more natural for many fathers than for mothers. As a result, children often find it more fun to frolic with dad than with mom.
At our house, the preference is also clearly to frolic with Dad instead of Mom. As soon as the ladies are comfortable with daddy, he is quickly challenged to frolic. Rough tickling in particular is now a favorite and the throwing and throwing work, but the ladies are also still quite young (7 months and 4 years).
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I don't think playing around with your kids is age related. It is more about exploring where your child is in terms of development. The scan often starts with a little tickling. The tickling soon gets a little rougher and before you know it they'll be rolling over the couch and floor laughing and jumping on you to get you.
The youngest often looks naughty and then starts to challenge. It must then be nice and busy; a lot of crazy faces, tickling in combination with tummy shaking, throwing in the air and some rolling / pushing. The oldest is very fond of packs and tickles. She therefore screams when she is caught and tickled.
I think it's very cozy and I must confess that I sometimes envy how my husband plays with the girls. I also love to play with them and of course I do that with them too. But there is not nearly as much laughter, loud and long as when daddy is playing around. The tasks are apparently clearly divided. On the other hand, I am often cuddled to death and that is also very nice 😉 .
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