Should I interrupt solitary playing?

[user1487941567]

DS2 is quite happily playing on his own in the playpen. I play with him quite a bit in the mornings when he seems up for it but he is very happy to entertain himself. Sing to him a lot and chat etc. But I feel like I shouldn't just leave him on his own (I know this is utterly ridiculous btw) I feel guilty. I'm sat in the same room of course but all my cleaning is done so I'm just having a tea.

DS1 needed me a lot more, I had to play with him all the time so maybe that's why I'm not used to a baby that happily entertains himself!

He's 13 months.

[MommaGee]

Good god no! Enjoy the peace.

He'll need you to look at watch and play and touch soon enough.

It also sounds like he knows you're there there to play with but is content. So he's happy x

[user1487941567]

He's just playing now with his cups and I still feel so bad for having a sit down after the school run. I feel a bit redundant but I suppose it's good that DS2 is so confident to play alone and I should embrace it before he can walk (and smash things!)

[MommaGee]

Exactly

[Summerdays2014]

My son is 16 months and used to be happy to play on his own. For the past few months though he's been quite clingy and is constantly dragging me across the room to sit and play with him. Make the most of him being happy playing by himself... I wish I had, the only time I can get things done in the kitchen now is when he's strapped into his high chair eating!

[MessyBun247]

Solitary play is SO important. Its magic really . He will let you know if he wants you to join in. Otherwise, relax and dont interrupt his flow.

[user1487941567]

Thanks all, it has reassured me. My eldest still wants me to play all the time and it does drive me nuts so I don't know what I'm complaining about really!

[Civilsoot]

Whatever you do don't interrupt him! My DS used to play very happily by himself, at one magical time he would even play and go off by himself in soft play centres now it's all a distant memory.

Like you, I got the mum guilts about him being on his own and I stupidly ruined it by insisting on joining in with him. Now he won't do anything by himself. Half the time he isn't even playing with me, he just wants me to sit next to him (yes, it's very sweet), I can't even sit on the sofa, I have to sit on the floor!

[LilyDisney]

What the others said.

We only have 1 chid and so we felt guilty about it and myself or DH (he's way worse than me) always entertained her.

Now she's 4 and dislikes playing alone because my husband is always making up stories and scenarios and doing voices etc.

So if she does manage to start a game by herself I now don't even enter the room - Cruel mummy!

I think if we'd have let her get on with it more when she was little it may mean she plays more independently now.

[mctat]

What MessyBun said!

[skinoncustard]

Definitely not, It's not as if your ignoring him all the time. It's a life skill to be able to amuse yourself some of the time. Enjoy your tea.