how much time does your baby spend playing alone?

[salingerreference]

I have an 8 month old DD. She is quite independent and usually happy to play alone on the floor with toys, or crawl around and explore. I always keep an eye on her and make sure she isn't coming to any harm. But I worry that I leave her alone too much and should be playing 'with' her more. I do play with her as well- clapping games, bouncing her up and down on my lap, singing songs and rhymes, reading books, playing with her toys etc but I would say she spends more time playing on her own than with me. While she plays I get on with other stuff- housework, stuff on the computer etc. I smile and chat to her from time to time. Am I being neglectful or is it good to develop her independence?
Thank you!

Hardly neglectful. Can't stand a child who can't entertain themselves. My son plays very happily by himself and, in fact, now that he's 23 months, sometimes tells me to go away! Sometimes I want to colour too, darn it!

It's important that they learn how to entertain themselves - not good for them to rely on you for their sole source of amusement. Sounds like she's doing fine!

Oh god I wish my 9 month old would play by herself.
She does occasionally but its very rare.

Take advantage of it - if she's not happy she'll let you know

Normal

It's great to have a baby that's happy to potter about and explore on their own

I don't really 'play' with mine. I sing to him a lot (poor sod) but mainly sit on the floor and let him climb over me and hit me with random objects e seems to have fun, anyway!

If your self employed or busy with chores around house then you have no chose. I have never spent much time entertaining. What harm can they come to at this age? ONce you have more children you have absolutely no time to sit and entertain its constant lists of chores to do. I have left them in the sitting room for ages while I potter. Pays off when older too.

If she needs you, she'll let you know. My DS has always been like this - he's 16 m.o. and now has longer spells when he wants my attention more.

He's always spent ages longer playing on his own than with me - although I do play with him!