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Original poster

At what age could your baby / toddler entertain themselves for 30 minutes?

75 replies

Doonut84 · 31/03/2019 11:19

Really struggling with almost 10 month old. Moans constantly when we are in the house, doesn’t want to be put down but doesn’t want to be held either!
I struggle to get anything done eg house work or getting myself ready.

At what age could your child entertain themselves for 20/30 minutes so you could get ready or do a quick job?

OP posts:
nutellanom · 31/03/2019 12:00

Sometimes my three year old can, mostly not!

BiscuitDrama · 31/03/2019 12:01

8 yr old still can’t Shock

BiscuitDrama · 31/03/2019 12:02

Oh and when they were toddlers I could only ever aim to either fold up the washing or put one person’s away, not a whole 30 minutes at a time.

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flitwit99 · 31/03/2019 12:05

My 7 yr old can't entertain himself for 30 minutes. My 13 yr old can though so there's hope.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 31/03/2019 12:05

I am still waiting for my 4 year old to achieve this milestone.

I'm afraid you need to adjust your expectations... Grin

Needallthesleep · 31/03/2019 12:08

Are they teething? Mine gets very very clingy when she’s teething.

motheroftinydragons · 31/03/2019 12:09

Not at 10 months!

Can you stick baby in the highchair with toys in the room with you while you potter about? That and the jumperoo give me a few minutes without moaning for both of mine. As long as they could see me they're fine and I chatter while I'm doing the washing etc. Sit in the floor to fold washing while baby plays next to you? That sort of thing.

20/30 minutes without needing you for something every few minutes? You've got a few years yet I'm afraid! My 3 year old will play for about that now but I'm still always nearby ready to join in as needed! At least she 'helps' with the dusting now....

Biancadelrioisback · 31/03/2019 12:14

My 2 year old can and does! If I pop him down with his train track or building blocks he can sit and play for ages! He's been like that for around 6 months (although at first it was more like 10 mins)

LoisLittsLover · 31/03/2019 12:16

At 4.5 i sometimes get a 40 min stint but unusual. Involving them in what you need to do is much easier

HarrietM87 · 31/03/2019 12:18

Are they mobile? Before he could crawl mine would be entertained by his treasure basket (basket of household things - can google them) for like 45mins at a time. It was so good. But since he could crawl he’s been trying to kill himself inventively every 2 mins I’d say so I can never really leave him.

EmrysAtticus · 31/03/2019 12:19

My 3 year old can occasionally do it.

BendingSpoons · 31/03/2019 12:23

My 3 year old has sometimes done it from about 2. However she will only do it when I am busy doing jobs and not if I sit on the sofa! It does get easier though. From about 18 months she had a solid lunchtime nap and as she got older I could get her to help with tasks e.g. she helps hang/fold up washing, pretends to paint the wall when doing DIY, cuts mushrooms for dinner whilst I cook.

dreamyflower · 31/03/2019 12:27

My nearly 2 year old does. I've found toy rotation to be key. Different toys each day of the week (I have a timetable and labelled bpxes). It means he gets excited when he sees something he hasn't played with for a week. I also find getting out in the morning helps so he's burnt energy and we do a few focused craft and motor skills activities. I think because of this, he's relieved to have his own free time and will happily play for an hour or so on the carpet whilst I tidy or tend to my 5 month old. Toddker started playing on his own after attachment anxiety went at about 14 months. Your bubba is 10 months so probably still wants to see you all the time. Could you pop bubba is on carpet with some new activities like ball pit balls in a washing basket or paint in Ziplock bags on the high chair? X

EmrysAtticus · 31/03/2019 12:29

DS is capable of watching a whole film however although only if I sit with him, gives me a nice break :)

Iggly · 31/03/2019 12:29

30 mins is a long time. They have short attention spans!

Better to break tasks down into shorter bursts and also try and get baby/toddler along with you to. Eg housework I’d give mine a toy broom or something. I’d use a sling for vacuuming when babies were little.

dreamyflower · 31/03/2019 12:29

Also YouTube do some fab baby sensory videos. I know tv isn't great but 20 mins to run around and so some housework is fine imo.

Nnnnnineteen · 31/03/2019 12:33

If I'd left her that long, mine could have from 5/6 months, but she always stayed where she was put and explored whatever was on reach, she was not a typical busy baby.

LegoCake · 31/03/2019 12:34

My 5 year old can't

Lost5stone · 31/03/2019 12:55

Mine could from about 18 months but not reliably. I could have a bath and leave the door open and she would toddle in to chat to me then wonder off again. That probably doesn't sound safe but all the dangerous stuff was out of reach and she's not one to climb on the furniture or draw on the walls etc.

ButtMuncher · 31/03/2019 12:56

I'm still waiting on this and DS is coming up to 3 😂

MrsAmaretto · 31/03/2019 13:22

4 years.

EggsAgain · 31/03/2019 13:26

Only when they learned to read (so Reception year of school). Only a book is more gripping then my full attention Grin

mistermagpie · 31/03/2019 13:29

30 minutes is a long time. My just two year old can potter by himself for ten minutes or so but still needs supervision. My 3.5 year old is ok playing by himself for 20 minutes, or watching tv, but I wouldn't really leave him unattended.

cptartapp · 31/03/2019 13:37

DS2 as soon as he could sit unaided, around six months. DS1 is 16 now, never could!

Camomila · 31/03/2019 13:40

DS could from 2 -I'd set him up his wooden train set and he'll sit there ages chatting to himself and pushing trains about.
I've always lived in flats though so If I was say cooking in the kitchen or folding laundry in my room (opposite the living room) I'd pop my head in the living room every 5 mins or so.

He chats as he plays so I come running if he's ever quiet Grin