My mum asked me yesterday whether my DS spends much time playing just on his own vs having me playing with him, and it got me to thinking. I spend most of my time with him being actively engaged in the things that he's interested in, and whilst I try not to lead in the games, I'm not sure that he spends that much time just doing things for himself, if that makes sense. Even when I'm doing my grown-up jobs, if he's hanging around I'm talking to him about them and involving him where I can - eg, he has a little bucket that he uses to help me water (from collected buckets of rainwater), or he stands on a chair at the bench when I'm cooking, runs through the washing when I'm hanging it out on the line, that sort of stuff.

So just wondering what other people's "norms" were, and whether I'm maybe stifling his creative development and/or creating a child that can't entertain himself without adult involvement (well, except for when he's doing the things you don't want him to do ).

where is the balance? and is it something that maybe happens mostly with 1st borns before they get a sibling?