Am I a bad mum?

[starodyssey2015]

Something that's been playing on my mind recently. I think I'm doing well. My baby (1) sleeps well, eats and smiles all the time. He plays on his own whilst I tidy up in the morning and when I try play with him he's not bothered and moves on to another toy. Whilst playing alone he smiles at me but I don't think he wants to play with me. I try for a bit, fail and go sit down and watch him.

I went to my friends the other day and she's playing with her little girl all the time and her little girl loves it. Did I make him not want to play with me? Can anyone think of how I can make him want to play with me?

Some children want to play with their parents, some are happy playing alone, some are somewhere in between. Your DS is happy and you're there if he wants you, seems good to me :)

Sounds wonderful! My pfb needed (still does) constant interaction. Very imaginative, full of ideas, but has never played alone - always wants me or a sibling or a friend. It's lively but wearing.

DC2 was more self contained - while his big sister was at preschool he needed to go for a walk, but as long as he'd been active outdoors he would then play alone happily for the remaining hour til we fetched her. Was a breath of fresh air :) He's still more self contained than she is - at nearly 10 she still does nothing alone.

Don't knock it - he's smiling and making eye contact so doesn't sound worrying. Just make sure you keep talking to him, and take him out and about to show him things and talk to him about them.

I doubt that it's a problem, but would suggest that you talk lots to him while you sit and watch him play. Just talk to him about what he's doing, or the weather or anything - maintains interaction and helps language development. Also maybe try reading books together?

If you are then I am too. My ds sounds similar, very good eater, smiley, good sleeper (now!).He'll will pass me toys and show me things occasionally but tires of me very quickly! I must be boring. He'll happily toddle around playing/getting into stuff he shouldn't and as long as I'm nearby he's quite happy. If I try and read a book with him he'll sit for perhaps two/three pages then he's off again. He's just not a very clingy baby I think. I went through a phase of being very worried about it but I now prefer to think of it a independence rather than indifference. I'm sure your ds is fine.