To look after 2 kids when 5yo doesn't entertain himself

[GoldenDoorHandles]

Hi everyone,

I have a 5yo and 5 month old. My 5 yo is very much used to us doing his thing. He's bright and confident but prefers to interact with others whether that's other kids or parents. He won't entertain himself for over 5 mins.

He doesn't enjoy toys except lego and likes crafts, Science, books but always in a way that involves others ie complex crafts with big scissors, Science experiments. We enjoy doing these things but it's a struggle to get housework done. We have TV for 1-3 hours a day, not all day.

Any tips on what to do ie how to ease him into doing something himself, or what activities he could do without involving us?

Thanks everyone. Just a note that I don't have a time machine so any response that involves should have won't work!

When my DC2 was a baby DC1 would do things like Playdough at the table if I sat there too.

Can he help with the housework too? So say if you're wiping down the table, ask him to load the washing machine and offer to time him?

It will be hard in the beginning if by 5 years old he isn't used to entertaining himself but it can be done!
I would simply state, I'm going to do X now, when I'm done we will have a snack/walk to the park/whatever is next for the day. Then simply leave them to it, don't say go and play, let them stand and chat to you if they want but if he is getting under your feet simply say 'I can't finish my job with you under my feet you've got your cars in the living room or playdoh on the table'.
Then crack on with your jobs or whatever needs doing for an hour or so. If you do jobs for 10 minutes that isn't enough time for him to get bored, and wander off to find something to do. He may not do any playing on day 1, maybe just complain and sit doing nothing, but eventually if you do it everyday, he will just find some toys to play with and get tired of waiting for you to finish your jobs.

They may have very big feelings about this, but honestly it isn't forever but getting him used to playing independently (even if your in the same room doing jobs) is really important for his development.

It is hard to think of something to do, it is hard to entertain himself which is why kids often seek out adults to play with them or screens to keep them entertained, but it'll get easier the more they practice.

Thanks, I meant to say we started doing this, I'm just doing x. If he protests I say you can help If you like. Sometimes he helps, but now he's sort of finding things to do, or just listens to the music I've left on for him.

So thanks its much better now.