3.5 yo dd won't play on her own

[hopingitgetsbetter]

My dd, who's three and a half, won't amuse herself AT ALL when we're at home together. Or when we're out together. She wants to talk to me/play with me the whole time. This has definitely got worse since the arrival of her new baby sister, but she was never good at it. How do I encourage her to play alone for a bit? Should I maybe set her 5 mins to play on her own, and then increase it by intervals? Does anyone else have a child like this?

Well mine if roughly the same age and she's similar I think to yours. I think the new baby thing has got to be a huge part in the change in her behaviour. A child who needs constant attention can be utterly exhausting, I know, but try to keep your head and put things into prespective. Not that I know anything about you, but I would guess that your little one has lots of good qualities.

When i'm at the end of my tether I just try and think of the things that she does that make me smile and proud. It always makes you feel a little better about the negatives.

It will get better because she'll realise you really don't have the time to focus everything on her. She wont have a choice in fact. It'll be good for her and you in the long run.

Hang in there. :)

Thanks yummum, good luck with your lovely, demanding dd as well.

I've got one the same and she's 9.3 now. Things improved hugely once she learned to read she is able to amuse herself for hours with a book. If there isn't anything to read though I am entertainment for her. She is an only child but I don't know if that has any bearing on it.

I may get a little flaming for this...but has she got enough toys?

Perhaps if you got her something like a Peppa Pig DVD and a Peppa Pig dolls house type thing and also got the figures, she might like to watch the DVD and recreate the stories using the toys? Character toys and DVDs really interest my DCs - my DS will sit upstairs for ages recreating Thomas stories (previously very clingy child).

I got them some Toy Story duplo recently and they do the same with that (having seen the movies).

Thanks for the suggestions. The toys idea is isn't flameworthy at all, but to be honest I think DD has enough toys, she just won't play with them alone - I have to join in. It's got to the stage where I can't go upstairs to go to the loo without her coming with me and sitting on my lap (hard if I am also holding baby). Is it a sign of anxiety, do you think?