Independent play

I do everything together with my 13months old...if I have to fold laundry I just sit on the floor with her while she plays, if I have to do the dishes she waits on her high chair, I have a montessori tower for when I cook...basically she does chores with me and I try to make her a part of it and help.

Unfortunately, this is how it is with this age! To me I wait when my partner is home to hold him so I do chores. Otherwise for little things here and there, we do them together but I understand not so practical. Honestly would love if I could do what you said so will be following closely to see if someone has some good ideas.

Independent play comes quite naturally to kids, but not this early. I used to do most of the kitchen housework while she was either snacking in her high chair or playing with wooden spoons on the floor. Occasionally, I had some ribbons or random things in front of her while she was strapped in her high chair, but as a whole, she wasn't entertained for long. Otherwise, I kept her involved where possible.

Basically, housework will take longer and won't be perfect for some time.

A lot of practice - I would do a lot of work to make sure she always had some solo play time, even when she protested. I’d leave for one minute at a time (through tears) and then come back, and slowly increase the time. I’d also make sure she had solo play time when friends came over (much to their digress because they wanted to play with the baby) but I knew it was important for her long term growth to know she can’t always be around people and she’d need solo play.

When it came to kitchen cleaning, I would either let her play on the floor, do it while she napped, or broke out the playpen and put headphones on.

Usually i put her in the highchair near where I cook and give her something to play and make a mess. Like yoghurt, flour, fruit that she can smash, couscous etc. She loves making a mess. But then after you finish cooking you need to get ready to clean all the mess and give her a bath 🤣🤣🤣

Between 1 and 2 developmentally the period of independent play is only around 4-5 minutes so expecting more from your child isnt really appropriate. You're better off as someone else suggested having the high chair near you so you can turn back and be interacting with them throughout.

@becky I am not expecting her to play independently, I am looking for ways to teach her and asking for advice of how people get stuff done 😊 if you have nothing new to bring to the conversation other than your judgement then please save your breath 😊

https://youtu.be/ye13DYr4OaU?si=qoFsLmCSSppbN-gG it may or may not help, but I like this lady a lot. She gives very good advice.

Bluey. 😂👏🏻 but I give my son a container and a ball and he puts the ball in and takes it out 5000 times😂👏🏻 work fast.

We didn't get any solid independent play until about a month ago...2 months short of his 3rd birthday. Until then I would try and get him involved, and if desperate, TV would go on for a bit

My daughter only just started properly playing independently now at over 3. My tip is lower your expectations 😅🤣

Thanks everyone for the tips. Just some other stuff I heard from other mums, I thought I will add it here. Water painting mat, colander and spaghetti pasta, cloth and spray bottle filled with water. Good luck everyone 😆