Guide
How much TV is too much for kids?
by Anne Fischer
Horizontal parenting: How to look after your children lying down
25.10.2023
Translation: machine translated
Are you tired and exhausted but need to keep your children entertained? In this article, I'll tell you how you can rest while you play with them - at least a little.
Yawn. Work is done, the kids are back from nursery. And unlike you, they still have plenty of energy. And they want to use it up before bedtime. A dilemma that every mum and dad knows. What's more, the days are getting shorter now and therefore more likely to be spent indoors than outdoors. It's no wonder that the trend of "horizontal parenting" is becoming increasingly popular: translated, this means that you are allowed to lie down while parenting.
It's easy to switch on the TV and enjoy Peppa Pig, Spidey and his Friends, Paw Patrol and the like. But we also know that too much screen time is not good for the little ones:
If you're still in the mood for horizontal childcare, here are a few of my favourite games that you can play while lying down.
The classic: reading books aloud
What could be better than cosying up on the couch with blankets, cushions and a selection of good books? I can keep my children amused forever. The Why Why Why Why books with discovery flaps from Ravensburger in particular never get boring and are just as popular with one-year-olds as they are with almost five-year-olds.
I see what you don't see
This classic never gets old either: while you get cosy on the couch, you can play "I see what you don't see". To get your child tired, you can introduce the rule that they have to bring you the guessed things and run back and forth more often. You may need to hand out a few suitable small toys beforehand - or you can play directly in the nursery. Another game that is always fun: making up stories together. Someone says the first sentence and the other players continue the story with one sentence each.
It's fun to go round in circles
Another game that will tire your children out while you recharge your batteries: place a cosy object such as an armchair or beanbag in the middle of the room and let them run around it. Half-heartedly try to touch it, as you are the catcher. Whoever is caught the least often wins and gets to leave mum alone for five minutes. Fancy even more variety? Variation 1: You choose the animal (elephant, dinosaur...) and your kids have to run around you. Variation 2: It gets faster and faster until you shout "Stop!". The last one to fidget loses.
Mummy is the motorway
I particularly like this game. As mum or dad, you simply lie down comfortably on the floor and let your child build roads, multi-storey car parks and the like on and around you. You only sometimes mime a Tatütata and actually only pretend to play along. Big plus point: driving small toy cars over your back is like a free massage.
Favourite pizza
Speaking of massages: you can also get one if you tell your child to use your back as an imaginary pizza dough and cover it with delicious toppings: cheese? It has to be grated. Tomato sauce? Spread it on vigorously, please. Onions? Chopped only! Let yourself be kneaded properly!
Pantomime on the back
One last massage: If your child is a little older, let them draw an animal, vehicle or shape on your back. You have to guess what it is. Encourages creativity and you can stay relaxed while doing it!
Mummy is sick
The parents' medical examination is also great fun: all you have to do is stretch out your arms, open your mouth or moan convincingly while your kids give you injections, take your temperature and check your heartbeat.
For advanced users: Mum has broken her leg while tidying up the toys and now also needs to be looked after with food and tea.
On quiet soles
If you are not only tired, but also on the verge of tinnitus, try this: the children must climb past or over you as quietly as possible. Only laughter is allowed, but no talking or shouting. If you can't do it, you have to do it again. The advantage: if you fall asleep for a moment, nobody will notice. You can also let smaller, less heavy children run over your back. Another free massage.
Finger games
This is particularly fun in the dark autumn: Shape animals with your fingers and let your children guess which animal (or whatever) you mean based on the shadows. Works best when lying down!
You can find even more tips for perfecting horizontal parenting in this book:
How often do you do horizontal parenting? And what's your favourite game when you're already exhausted? Let me know in the comments
Cover photo: Private
A true local journalist with a secret soft spot for German pop music. Mum of two boys, a dog and about 400 toy cars in all shapes and colours. I always enjoy travelling, reading and go to concerts, too.
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