It seems like the most stupid question ever, but my kids would rather watch me unpack the dish washer than go play. When I do my house work they what to do it to, of course I let them. Then we all go off to play. I am a SAHM with a traveling husband. I can't even clean house with out the kids want to be by my side. mamapedia time = tv time. My oldest was a single child for her first 6 years, so I played with her a lot. Now my she has been at school or at a friends house, so my second is also by herself so I get to play. As how nice it is, how do you get your kids to play by themselves? Do you simply say go play? Or are you more clever in your ways? I can get them to play together, being 8 and 2, having a six year age gap it doesn't last long. They need their own imagination not mine and I could use some time to myself. Thanks!
Hi Mama-
I had the same problem when nap time stopped! I wrote a bunch of alone activities the child could do on their own on slips of paper, put them in a bag and give them the choice. They could do something from the bag OR choose something on their own, but they could not just follow me around.
It worked, they usually figured stuff out for themselves, and went off to play.
Good Luck
R. Magby
My 2.5 year old has a hard time playing on her own as well. The biggest life saver I have found is letting her help me clean. When I am doing dishes or cleaning in the kitchen, I give her a wet wipe and have her wash the floor with it... When she gets bored with that, try a water squirt bottle and spray the counter and wipe it with a paper towel. When I vacuum, she follows behind me with her own vacuum to help.
Getting the two to play together is more of a challenge until the 2 year old is closer to 3. My almost 5 year old is now more open to playing with her sister if they play house. I try to get them started, the oldest is "mom" and the 2.5yo is the "baby".
My daughter is a very independent player and is an only child. I think you might need to help them foster imagination.
What about setting up a fort in the front room and letting them bring in some "stuffed" friends. My daughter will do that forever.
Legos, playdough, tinkertoys....get them started and then leave.
I think there is nothing wrong with telling them to "go play" and then let them do it. If your back yard is fenced, tell them to go out and play without you. You can supervise from afar.
I could imagine how frustrated you might be. It isn't easy being entertainment all the time.
Try to get them involved in something..then step away and do what you need (or want) to do.
Wow, my boys are 5 1/2 and 3 1/2 and can play by themselves for hours (togather or separetly). While I think it's a great thing to play with your kids, there needs to be time when they use their imagination. I do not really have an advice, since I never have to tell them to go and play.....they are boys and no way they would choose housework over play:)
Find something that they both like to do that is an alone thing......like reading a book, coloring, playing a game of some sort...........maybe tinker toys, dolls that you can put clothes on..........something that is a one person thing.....
Before you go do the dishwasher, or whatever, sit down and get them started on something to do.....then say, you are doing great, keep it up, I'm going into the kitchen.........if they follow, tell them to go back and play you are fine.......
You might even explain to the 6 year old that you need some alone time....while you do a chore..........and let them know it's ok to be in the living room while Mommy is in the kitchen or other room......if they have separate bedrooms, you might even want to give them a bit of time in their room alone....Just a bit of space....
Be glad they want to help, one of these days you will get attitudes for asking them to help!!!
They will be fine......good luck.....
