If you have a busy day ahead, you may be tempted to put off playing until the work is done. But here’s the thing: the more you try to get the kids out of your hair, the more they will demand your attention!
So you have two choices:
1. If there is any way to include them in what you are working on, let them join you! It may take a little more effort in the beginning to train them to do tasks like folding socks, hand towels, and their own pants, or washing dishes, but they will love the sense of accomplishment and genuine contribution, and eventually they will actually be helpful in getting it done faster.
[Side note: Washing dishes?! Are you kidding? Nope. I resisted it for a long time too, sure that my one or two year old would break half of them.
What finally tipped me toward trying was realizing that I myself had broken a fair number of dishes through carelessness, either washing dishes or knocking them off tables, so what’s the harm if he breaks some too. And do you know that he hasn’t broken one?
It turns out that a high percentage of the dishes aren’t even breakable (silverware, pots and pans, plastic containers, wooden plates and bowls… and recently we were given some metal cups as well); and with those that are actually fragile, he’s adorably careful. If he were to break one, I would take care of the broken pieces and then continue letting him work. (Just as I would not banish myself from ever using dishes again just because I broke one.)
Okay, on to the next option.
2. Play with them first.
When you spend as little as 5-15 minutes on the floor with them, you will have accomplished two important things. First you have filled their cups with your focused attention. Second you have gotten them started with ideas that they will likely continue exploring on their own as you go about the next item on your to-do list.