Solo/independent play

I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this and has any advice 🤍

As a single mum, I feel like I may have overdone it a bit when my little one was a baby — I was always playing with him, rarely encouraging him to play on his own or choose his own toys. Now he’s a toddler, he really struggles to play independently and wants me to be involved all the time, often asking me to initiate the play too.

I’m finding it quite tough at the moment because even when I just need 5 minutes to cook, tidy up, or have a hot drink, he wants my constant attention. I’ve tried setting up activities for him and sitting with him for a few minutes before stepping away, but he usually follows me and says “mama, where are you going? Play with me,” and I find it hard to say no sometimes 🙃

The thing is, he’s been in nursery since 9 months (I work there too, just in a different room), and I’ve seen him play independently and with other children — so I know he can do it.

Does anyone have any tips for encouraging more independent play at home? 💛

Thank you!

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Solo parent here, and I know what you mean. It’s so hard right now as mines the same. She used to independently play a lot when she was younger but the clingy’ness has ramped up since she was maybe before 2.

Like you, I try to set up fun toys or activities for her to try keep her busy while doing much needed feeding dogs, getting food ready for her, washing, just going to the toilet. And it barely lasts long. Sometimes if she’s busy with her baby doll toys that buys me more time but inevitable I’m asked ‘what are you doing mamma, help me with baby, come mamma come, play see what me and baby doing😮‍💨😩.

I’ve got her doing drawing on her little wipable table and chair in kitchen and give her some wipe able colour pens and some scrap paper and she keeps busy a bit longer on that as she’s in same room and likes doing that. But again it’s constant having to interact.

I really look forward to the days she’s old enough to do and be into those toys / craft things where they having staying power to really get into it and not be needing 24/7 interaction to maintain it unlike this young toddler phase. Because it is super super draining being the only parent in the house.

Feel a bit sad (and robbed of this time in her life) where I’m wishing the time away a bit for her to grow up that bit more, because I know (from when times friends come to stay) it’s just so much more fun sharing the load. Where you can get stuff done you need to for them, while also not feeling drained doing that, while also trying to do everything with them. All at same time.

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