How do I get my toddler to play by himself for more than 5 minutes?

[poppadum]

My clingy 23 month old son wants my attention every single minute of the day. He absolutely refuses to play by himself for more than 5 minutes, and wants me to read to him all day long. He is still not into many of his toys; he only plays with his toy cars and doesn't seem able to get the hang of Lego, crayons, or baby puzzles yet. He yells the house down and clings to my knees if I so much as glance at a magazine, or make dinner. At the moment I am ignoring him when he throws a tantrum, but any other suggestions? My daughter could amuse herself for about half an hour at least when she was 2; is this a boy thing? Any toys that help them learn to play by himself? I have to say his toy shelf is rather pathetic, mostly hand me downs missing all the pieces.

Can you involve him in some of your chores? I chop vegetables and my 22 month old puts them in the pot. He also helps me empty the washing machine, he gets his own broom while I sweep the floor, etc.

But I don't get to read magazines, admittedly.

I find that my 2 yr old is a lot better at playing independently if there is another child around, be it siblings or another 2 yr old. Do you know anyone else with a small child you could invite around? You might not get much done but at least you could probably have a cup of tea/coffee by yourself...

This is normal. I remember this with dd and now ds is just the same!

There is nothing much you can do except repeat the MN mantra "It's a phase, it's a phase...."

I couldn't even go to the bloody toilet on my own! Could you not give him his own magazine to rip to shreds whilst you read yours?
When you have a cup of tea, sit him next to you with his own drink.
When you do the cleaning, give him a cloth to 'help' you.
When you are washing up, give him a bowl full of bubbles to play with.

Just think, once he's 3 he can go to nursery!

Sometimes its a matter of trial and error and what suits one child doesnt suit another. For instance today, DGS has been very clingy but amused himself for half an hour with a Chinese New Year calender!! Brio wooden railway and duplo have been the things he has had most use from. At age 2 he loved things like tea sets, play food etc. He also loved his sandpit last summer. When the weather is better he might enjoy outdoor play ... on the other hand who knows ... theyre all different!