how to get DD used to being at home

[Xmasbaby11]

DD has just turned 2 and is in nursery full time, which she loves. Next week we're expecting DC2, and I am planning to be on maternity leave for a year. I will have DD home with me for 2 days initially, possibly 3 if all goes well with the baby.

My problem is that DD is used to being very busy. DH and I work full time in the week, and we tend to go out at the weekends because she's very active. At home she tends to roam around and when I try to set up activities, e.g. play doh, jigsaws, she loses interest within 5-10 mins. She also asks to watch TV a lot. She always wants to be in the same room as me/DH, and if I need to do chores like cooking dinner, she won't stay in the room and keeps trying to get me to come and play elsewhere.

I am worried about how to manage this when I am home with DD and the baby, as I can't chase her round the house all day, and equally I can't go out as easily/much as we do now (although obviously I do plan to take her out!). I blame myself for not teaching her how to play alone more successfully. We have tried, but she seems to lack the concentration of some peers. Most of my friends work part time and their toddlers are used to a slower pace of life, pottering at home etc and I am worried DD will struggle with this.

Any advice would be welcome!

Yep I'm worried about a sin

Yep I'm worried about a similar thing. Same situ. I think they will literally have to just get used to the lack if constant stimulation and after a while they will just start being better at playing on their own. Jigsaws and play dough probably wouldn't amuse my 19 month old for longer than a few mins though. Water and sand will though, and dried pasta and rice and lots of pots and shells and all that.
Also get out to playgroup and soft play and toddler music etc everyday. Just put dc2 in the sling x

Can you keep her in nursery 2 days a week or some mornings for your sanity?

She's 2 - I think your expectations of her playing alone are too high my youngest can keep herself occupied but not for long. My eldest didn't get it until 3. I didn't "teach" them. You can find things to keep them quiet which usually involve mess..... Dried pasta, lentils and rice on a low table in a tray with spoons and cups is a firm favourite.

I went out every day to toddler groups/library etc etc with baby and ds when on mat leave.

just go with it?

dd1 is normally playing under my feet. helping shove washing into the tumbler, playing with Tupperware, scraping wallpaper , trying on socks, emptying her drawers if I am putting clothes away. sometimes she enjoys an activity for a while but rarely in another room.

you'll get used to it. dont feel you have to entertain non stop though. life is interesting enough already when you are not 2.

we dont have the telly on at all tho. I think it is a bad habit to get into.

we are just busy doing nothing.. .

HI OP - congratulations on your soon-to-be baba! Don't worry! I was also SO anxious about this with my very energetic DS, because I'm a very active player, and we used to role-play all day long - superheroes, dinosaurs, running up and down. And he was very demanding of my attention. But when we had my DD he just seemed to naturally know to play by himself more - and he's now brilliant at it. I think it just happens naturally! And in fact weirdly I find it easier - less intense - having two rather than one. And I totally relied on the TV in the very early days. Really helpful while feeding etc. I have NO problem with TV at all in fact I think it's educational. Good luck!!