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13 month old independent play - can’t get anything done!

6 replies

SharpPinkDuck · 08/11/2025 08:38

My 13 month old used to be happy to play independently but over the past 5 months or so as more mobile has become less and less able to do so, with me more than his dad.

Hes now down to one nap of 1.5-2hrs a day, so rest of the day he really is either following me everywhere in the house clinging to me, climbing legs, crying etc if im trying to get any housework done or expecting me to sit and play and read to him which I do for hours at a time. Yesterday I had to spend literally all afternoon playing with him. obviously I love being with him but it’s got to the point it’s incredibly hard for me to get ANYTHING done during the day, cleaning, cooking, sending an email or a text even, if I sit down at the table next to his play area for 5 mins he’s up standing at my legs trying to pull at me.

I was wondering is this normal and should I be doing anything to change this? It’s driving me mad but I’m going back to work 3 days a week in Jan which will give me a bit of a break! My husband can sit and read a bloody book in peace with him playing independently meanwhile so it seems it’s just me!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
SharpPinkDuck · 08/11/2025 10:59

bump!

OP posts:
TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 08/11/2025 19:45

It's quite normal for separation anxiety to peak at this age, but your husband should pick up the slack.

I managed to shift my son towards sitting on the sofa in the kitchen for a snack whilst I did washing up - corn on the cob took him a while!

BinNightTonight · 09/11/2025 12:04

My 13 month old is exactly the same!

Sharporangebird · 21/12/2025 12:14

Totally normal.

Motherbear44 · 21/12/2025 12:54

Totally normal for the age. I try and get my 12 month old grandson to join in tasks while I mind him. Not easy but I can hold him and the vacuum cleaner for a few minutes. He will sit in his high chair by the sink when I am washing up. When I put the washing on the airer I tell him the names of the clothes.

I can’t imagine what he would get up to if left alone - I have a play pen but he makes a big fuss when he is in it. I use it for ‘emergencies’ - like getting something from a high cupboard.

DH should be worried that his son does not seek out his attention. I think you should be encouraging more quality play between the two of them.

SleafordSods · 21/12/2025 16:58

Definitely look at ways to include him. At 13 months my youngest loved being in the kitchen when I cooked. You could sit him in the floor with some OIt’s and pans and a wooden spoon or stick hin in the high chair with some messy play?

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