17 month old won't play by himself

[Summerdays2014]

Hi,

I have a 17 month old son who up until a few months ago was happy to play by himself with me in the room or popping in and out whilst loading washing machine etc. Now he can't even have me sitting on the sofa I have to be sitting right next to him on the floor at all times. He is constantly pulling me over to him and directing me as to where to sit and what to do. He screeches if I don't and then it turns into crying. I have to keep him occupied at all times. He goes to nursery 3 days a weeks and is happy and independent there. We go to classes on our days off and he is happy to join in or 'play' with the other children and wonder about the room, it's just when it's us alone at home (he's the same with my husband to actually)
Is this normal? A phase? Separation anxiety? Should I be encouraging him to play on his own and if so, how?

Thanks.

Anyone?

My daughter is the same, also 17 months. Screams if i go out of sight, and runs after me all day long shouting MAMA! And hangs off my leg shouting at me while i do the dishes etc..Its prime time for separation anxiety unfortunately! I figure it will pass.

Sigh.

Thanks messy bun. Glad to know it's not just us!

I'm here to ask about this too! Except that my DD is 3.5!!!

It's much better than you guys are having to deal with I.e. She will get into what she's doing and happily play by herself lots.

But there are also lots of times - most days!!! - when she becomes v dictatorial and insists that I join in some game despite me explaining that I really need to make breakfast, get dressed, do the washing, make dinner, I'll be back in a minute, we can play after nursery, we don't want to be late and miss whatever we're going to... She'll scream, throw things around, cry. It's exhausting. Fortunately, she mostly only behaves like this when it's just me and her. She's v civilised with others most of the time.

What am I doing wrong? (I feel like she knows that I respond eventually to the tantrum but it's so hard not to. I've tried discussing it with her later when she calms down, I've tried bribery, I've tried lovebombing with kisses and acknowledgement that it's annoying that mummy's busy, I consciously spend time playing and joining in every day when we're not in a hurry to get going somewhere/ do something important and I've resorted to grumpy, shouty mummy too. All of that works for a while but she still has a little tantrum over something most days ).

Please tell me she'll grow out of this! How can I help her get there?!