Another Parenting Question? :-) Self Play

[lylabellablueyes]

My daughter who i have already stated is 2.3 years old. She never plays on her own and ALWAYS wants someone to play with her. I'm not kidding. This is fine and i love to play with her, but.....

It's hard when i'm trying to make tea, or see to someone. As i'm due another child, it's going to be hard to give her my full attention all the time as there will be a baby to look after.

My question is, is there a way to encourage her to play on her own. She gets bored easily, so will come and hound mummy :-)

As stated, i don't mind, I just need to spread this attention soon and don't want my girl to feel too left out!

She sees friends and goes to nursery each week, but she's the same with my mum. She exhausts us lol...

Any tips plz xx

[johnk]

All kids go through this phase were they need to be constantly entertained. If you can involve her in whatever else you're doing it will interest her and she will learn more, it might take a bit longer but will be worth it in the end. When baby comes along don't give it 100% of your attention remember there's 2 kids in your life. Tell her She is the big sister so she can help you out with some things. Best of luck

[leanne_1987]

my daughter was exactly the same and she is only ust getting better now she is 3! i used to start playing with her until she was doing something and then say i'm off in the kitchen to make a drink and then go back a few mins later and ask her what she has been doing and then play with her again, used to keep doing this gettin longer and longer each time, now she will happily play on her own for periods of time. when im cleaning up i give her a duster so she feels included, got her a pretend hoover for when im hoovering and when im washing up i give her a bowl of water and plastic cups to wash x

[lylabellablueyes]

Hi, thanks for the answers.
Johnk, im not saying that when the new baby comes, i'll ignore her. i'd never do that. I have already bought her a baby and a bath to help mummy :-)

It's just there are times when i know i'll need 5 minutes to do other things.

Leannae_1987 - I will try the bowl and plastic cups as thats a lovely idea. I will also check in on her every few minutes. Usually when i do this now, she grabs my hands to play dolllies, or tents lol.

I'm sure things will get better. Thanks again x

[woofgang]

I have seen your other post as well...I wonder if you are getting stressed and she is picking up on that?

[annie0000]

I think a bit of it is "only child syndrome" so hopefully that will sort itself out soon :o)

Our friends have an only girl and she was the same. Neither of my boys were like that. eldest was only 13 months when youngest came along so they got into a routine of playing together from a young age.

That's not to say we never played with them, but they were never "needy".

Could you maybe set her small tasks to do? e.g. ask her to do a little jigsaw and to come and get you when she is finished.

[lylabellablueyes]

Hi Woofgang. She may have Picked up on me being down, but I never take it out on her. Maybe it is partly though. Things have been great for me last week, and she's still like it :-)

I will the jigsaw thing, but she'll still want me next to her. I'm just gona encourage her more with things. Thanks x