4 year old not playing by herself at all

[IhopeyoulikeNavantoo]

I was wondering if anyone has any advice re: my dd. She is 4 and is developmentally NT. She has a full and active life. She did 2 hours a day football camp this week, for example. However, she's not overloaded either and has time to rest. She just refuses to play by herself. She has lots of toys in her room but only wants to go up if I or daddy go too. I am trying to put my foot down and insist that she goes up and plays with TV off but it's a battle. DH and I are exhausted because quite simply we never get a break. She never goes off to play by herself. Any advice?

[SunflowerJo08]

Set her up at the table with an activity and then move off to a different room, telling her exactly what you are doing. Lots of "first" mummy is going to do this and "when" you and mummy can do this. You could also do some role play with her toys, "oh, teddy is saying he really wants you to read a story with him whilst mummy washes up", etc. Challenge her constant need for you to be with her. It could be that she is actually bored; give her little responsibility jobs to try out, and then a choice of "do you want to help mummy clean the bathroom (eg) or do you want to read teddy a book - you choose!"; always give the two options and then "you choose".

[IhopeyoulikeNavantoo]

A small bit - not really. She always wants me or dh involved which is sweet but exhausting.

[soundsystem]

Will she play in the same room as you by herself, though? I think expecting her to play in a different room on her own at 4 might be a bit ambitious... Can you set her up with something in the same room as you, and then withdraw a bit and let her get on with it?

[IhopeyoulikeNavantoo]

Although, there is no way she would go to any room and play by herself really. I am actually at my wits end. I am just mentally exhausted from always having to think of entertaining her.

[IhopeyoulikeNavantoo]

That's a good idea. I will try that.

[thethoughtfox]

Mine never plays upstairs; it's too far away. She likes to be near us. Bring some toys down to the main room, some in the kitchen and hall. Mine plays in the bathroom for hours with little plastic figures.

[IhopeyoulikeNavantoo]

Bump