How not to hurt his feelings... but want to encourage him to play alone a little!

[jowen]

Ds is nearly 3, and is playing with some beads and thread at the minute. The trouble is, every single bead he threads, he comes and tells me and demands that I look and praise. Every bead.

I am getting very bored of that game very quickly, he is the same if i go and sit next to him and play with him. Is is normal to need so much encouragement all the time? If it is normal I will just keep doing it, but I am worried that my little boy is a bit neurotic!

Try saying something along the lines of "that's very good, now can you see if you can do 2 more then show me again" etc extending the time between his "visits".

My Ds was the same at that age and pretty much now too. I just thought he was very sociable and wanted my company!

I meant to say he's not asking for praise as such but wants to share in what he's doing.

Yes normal. Normal to be bored witless with it too! Try to find more things that you actually like doing with him, and it will not seem such a chore. They can tell when we are not really engaged and will ask for more and more reassurance and praise to make up for it IMO.

try saying " how nice - but i am busy, show me when you have finished"

My ds3, just turned 3 this w/e, has recently developed an insistence that he is answered properly. So my usual response to "Mum?" which is "Ummmm?" just leads to him saying "Mum?" again until I answer properly.

I find that very trying, but it has made me realise how often I Ummmed him in the past.

My dd (2.6) is exactly the same - with beads in particular, I tell her to make me a necklace - she takes around 10 mins. then when she comes back, I stick the necklace on my neck and then encourage her to make one for nanna, daddy, dollies etc. keep her busy for at least 40 mins. Plus she knows I'm kinda paying attention as I'm happily wearing what she made me. Same with colouring, sticking etc.