Playing independantly

My DS is yet to play independantly, he actually doesn't really play with any of his toys unless i sit down and initiate a game, show him what to do with something etc and then as soon as i stop he stops. If i'm doing something else (chores, making food etc) he will follow me and watch me and then when he becomes bored (after not very long) will indicate he wants me to play with him, so we do. From what age do they generally become interested in toys and wanting to play with things by themselves? Not that i don't love playing with him but i have to fit getting everything done around the house in to the 2 hour window of time where he has a sleep and its just not working. I end up staying up til 1-2am getting stuff done because its the only time i can do things. Also he was very much like this as a baby too, he was never content lying on a playmat or in a rocker, so i always carried him to do things, he's way too heavy for that now.

How old is he Ourlux? I'm sure i should know but i can't remember, sorry!

DD is nearly 15 months. SHe will play on her own briefly (5-10 mins MAXIMUM), but often she toddles around after me, so i make a game of whatever i'm doing - let her taste veggies i'm chopping, encourage her to help mummy tidy up, bring a few toys in and sing to her while i do the dishes. When she's with other kids she only plays alongside them iykwim, so i think "alone" play is still a bit away too. She does however manage to play at destroying the DVD's silently and all alone until i notice. If she's gone quiet for more than 2 minutes i know it's time to investigate. LOL.

She seems to love seeing what i do, more even than when i play with her toys with her, we joke that she'll be able to make dinner before she's 2. :)

B

I think it was only just before he turned two that Zander started playing on his own.

Hi!

Hmmm I'm probably not much help as Louis has been playing on his own for ages...He happily sits in his room reading books or playing with his little people or something...Will also play with his cars in the hallway on his own...
Of course we have some playtime together but generally he plays on his own..I must say it has made it really easy with having no.2 and it really hasn't affected him too much.

He's 1 year old.... seems like this is normal then! i was sure i'd seen other young babies playing alone, perhaps they were older! He's also quite happy if he's playing with something not his, ie, the cupboards, dvds etc he can amuse himself that way, just not really with his own toys.

ROFL, yesterday when i was posting this i turned round to see DD disappearing INTO the kitchen cupboard! Pretty normal all round then ;)

i think its personality - every baby is different - some are happy to play by themselves, others aren't. you wouldnt even know my friend has a baby (12mth old) - she sits and plays by herself all day. but not my bubba! although he's usually pretty good in the morning, he'll play happily with his toys. but he needs more attention throughout the day, i guess as he gets more and more tired. perfect timing for when dad comes home - by then he's very cranky!!

also - is your bubba close to walking? our friend gave us one of those old fashioned wooden trolleys, with plastic wheels and it holds blocks. my bubba LOVES it, and will wander around the house, pushing it around. also helped develop his walking too!

Yep he walks along with the wooden trolley too but every time he gets to a wall he stands there and waits for me to turn it round so he can go back the other way! and over and over...

Maddison was an independent player from very early on & would crawl to her room & play with everything & anything in there!

She is now 8.5 & still enjoys her own company, I never had to éntertain'her as such as she would makes books or read to her teddies, build stuff, whatever..

Indah is a bit more dependent, wanting someone on the room with her at least while she plays & if you get up to leave she will either complain or follow & play in the room you move too...