Why is it that Mason only plays in his wonderful cubbyhouse when there are other children visiting? Same with the trampoline?

We've filled our home and backyard with toys, cubby, sandpit, trampoline, bike, scooter blah blah blah to help keep him happy and entertained, yet he won't play on his own - needs constant attention - a playmate - preferably his parents!

Guess it's only normal. Poor kid needs siblings....

He is only 4, maybe he will get a bit more independent in play as he gets older?

What are your onlies like? Do they ever play alone, or do they also need constant companionship?

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Liv has always been fabulous at independent play. Lately, however, it's more and more "play with me!" I love her imagination and creativity and wonder where mine went-I find it difficult to come up with "games" to play with her barbies, etc.

It's hard, because I realize that when I'm being a SAHM, it's my job to play with her, but sometimes it's very difficult to stop with the rest of my life and be just a playmate for a while. Most of the time, though, it's enough for her if I'm just in the room with her.

Maybe if you force him to play by himself little by little, he'll get better at it?

At any rate, I do think it's normal. I guess we should be thankful for the time that they want to spend with us, soon enough they will be embarassed to be seen with us!!

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Missy
Proud Momma to Olivia, 6/04

Kirsten is just getting to really like playing by herself. She of course, needs me to get her started on something but then can be by herself for about 15 minutes before needing my assistance aagian.


We have the opposite trouble! She doesn't want to play with anyone else at playdates and won't share her toys with other children, just adults...she needs sibblings!

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It's hard isn't it? We are trying so hard to be the best possible moms, always mindful that our child is an only and is reliant on us...

I think you are right Missy, I should just let him have some time alone to explore independent play. Chrissy you say Kirsten does well for 15mins, perhaps that would be a good amount of time for me to encourage Mason to play on his own, then I'll come back to him... I guess I was expecting more time, expecting too much of him (just so I could clean the house!).

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Ashley will play with herself when it is just me. If DH is home she wants him playing with her all the time. I think I am pretty lucky. LOL
I know I should play with her more, but I don't like playing dolls and my imagination sucks. I always tell her that I will play with one of her zillion games but she isn't really into games lately. I can't wait for warmer weather so she can go outside.

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Dawn


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Yes it would be far easier if they enjoyed board games and such, I guess when they get a bit older? Mason will play Dominoes or a matching pairs card game - but his attention span is still very short.

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AT least your kiddos will play games, we only play house and tea party and babies (which I don't want to play right now). I check in on her bur sometimes she can do well up to an hour, it depends on what she is doing, and that only happends in her toy room. Now if the dogs let her dress them up (no I'm not joking) in beads and feathers and etc....then she is buisy forever.....also, we bought this huge white board at the home supply place and she loves that~ I'm really looking for anything that keeps her engaged and self sustained at this point!

But then there are the days when only Mom's lap will do~ I try to remember that soon, she will want nothing to do with me and that I should love that now.......tell that to the laundry and the husband (or partner)

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Chrissy, sounds like Kirsten is doing great with playing on her own - remember Mason is already 4, and he is doing a lot less than her actually! I can't imagine mason playing on his own for an hour - even with mom going in and checking on him! Mason only started playing the card type games with me since turning 4...another year and Kirsten will be loving playing board games and such with you! And you are right we have to enjoy and soak up all this one on one attention...coz the day will come when they won't want to play with mommy! My house is an absolute disgrace, and has been for 4 years!!

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