How much do you play with your 4 year old?

[sharond101]

I am a busy Mum, show me a Mum who isn't busy, I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old, work part time and do everything in the home as dh suffers chronic back pain and struggles to help with chores/garden/car cleaning/child lifting etc. My 4 year old likes constant attention, always asking me to play with him, "When will you play with me Mummy?", "Can you play with me?" etc. I spend alot of time with him and we do crafts, baking, gardening, imaginary play, board games, football, basketball, going to parks/soft play/museums etc. He gets one on one time when Sister is asleep and even when she is awake he calls the shots as it's easier to include her in his games than the other way about. I always feel guilty about having chores to do or shopping to go and no matter what always wish I had spent more time with him when it comes to me going to work and him going to his Grandparents. How much do you play with your 4 year old and is this normal?

[Mamabear12]

I think most 4 year olds still want a lot of attention. They should be able to play by themselves for an hour. My 2 year old can play by himself about 45 mins. And my 4 year old about this same. She will come to me, but ill send her back to her room. I spend ALL day with them and need them to play in their rooms so I can get things done. I say try 30 mins of alone play in his room at first. Set the alarm and tell him he can read books, colour, play w his cars, dolls whatever he likes, but must do quiet play in his room alone. Try it once in morning and once in afternoon and tell him, after you will play with him. Set a timer or something so he knows he can't come out until the alarm goes off. This worked really well with my daughter. She even got out a puzzle by herself to do.