Tanya Sweeney: I adore my child and her imagination but the words ‘Play with me, mammy’ fill me with dread

Children communicate through play but that doesn't mean adults naturally speak the same language. Photo: Getty

Tanya Sweeney

I hate to say it. I’m almost ashamed to say it. But four small innocuous words elicit a sigh.

“Play with me, mammy,” my daughter will ask, and I will always oblige, even with a slightly sinking heart. As soon as she says it, I already feel tired and overwhelmed. I am, for some reason, not entirely willing to engage.