I can completely relate on so many counts. My parents never, ever played with us. I would never have even thought to ask. In fact, when they’d visit us and see us playing with our children (which we did, though not constantly), they’d comment on how we “coddled” them and how they should learn to play by themselves. They didn’t believe us when we told them the kids amused themselves quite effectively 98 percent of the time, and that’s why we could enjoy playing with them when we did.

I think I’d find it stressful to be my child’s only source of entertainment. I love my kids (now all adults), but I’m glad I wasn’t their only choice of playmate.