Is it normal to not want to play with your child?
Yes. You can love your child and still find playing tiring, boring, or hard to get into—parents don’t have to enjoy every kind of time together.
Lots of parents don’t naturally enjoy pretend games, toys, or doing the same activity over and over. That doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent or don’t love your child; play just isn’t everyone’s favorite way to connect.
Try spending time together in ways you actually like, or setting a small, manageable window for play and then moving on. Reading, cooking, walking, or letting your child “help” with a task can count as connection, too.
If you’re feeling disconnected from your child most of the time, or so overwhelmed that caring for them feels difficult, reach out to someone you trust or a health professional for support.