Do your 6 yo play on their own for long periods of time?

[IamAporcupine]

DS is 6 and an only child.
He can spend a loooong time playing Lego, and a bit of time reading, kicking a ball or doing arts, but apart from that he really prefers to play with us. Is this very unusual?

My DM said it was "odd and sad".
I thought that was a bit rich coming from someone who never lived with a 6 yo child! (she left when I was 5yo)

I was an only child and used to get on with doing my own thing. Got a bit boring sometimes but had friends and stuff round so I didn't think it was a big deal.

My 6 year old can play on his own a lot of the time but he has a little sister to play with too.

Completely normal behaviour, even at nearly 8 DD prefers to play with me rather than by herself. If she’s on her tablet playing by herself she’ll normally have part of her draping over me too.
It’s a bit exhausting but not really surprising that kids enjoy spending time with their parents

Sounds normal by 6 year old can amuse himself but definitely likes company

IamAporcupine - No it isn’t unusual, DS6 loves to play by himself and can spend the whole day reading, drawing and colouring in. I asked him if he would like to go out today and he said that he would like to watch some DVDs in his bedroom today.

I would be pretty hurt if my mum made that comment.

I have three so they play with each other. If I try to join in they look at me like I'm an idiot.

DD6 can play on her own but prefers to have someone to play with, usually a child her own age but if none of her friends are free she'll settle for me. I think that's normal.

thank you all, that's reassuring!

My 6yr old will spend time singing and dancing to herself, playing schools and basically spending a fair bit of time in her own little world. I do love to sit and listen to her when she won’t notice

Can I ask if those of you with children who seem happy to spend a good amount of time playing on their own work or are SAHM?

@Thebluedog
@MrsHappyAndMrCool
@starsuniteonceagain

Just wondering if this might be related to the amount of time we spend together

IamAporcupine - I am a SAHM, DS has always enjoyed his own company and likes to spend time alone, if I gave him the option of a nice day out somewhere or staying at home, I’m 99% sure that he would choose staying at home.

He likes spending time with his friends at school, but has no interest in going to parties or play dates.

I work full time but do take her to and from school. I work whilst she’s in bed or at school. So for all intents and purposes she will see me as much as a sahp.

She spends eow with her dad as we’re divorced

My eldest spent less time on her own and likes to be entertained rather than play on her own.

Different children, different personalities

5 year old - yep
6 year old - no bloody chance

My DS is also 6 and doesn't like being or playing on his own at all. He's happy to play with his younger brother or friends, but is happiest playing board games or 'kick' with me. It can be exhausting but I work full time so I know he needs time with me at weekends.

Thanks all for your replies.
I do think that in our case is related to my working full time, but I am sure that as other PP said, different children different personalities.

I was just a bit at my DM comment as if it was something all 6yo would normally do

My daughter is 26 and an only child and she is now a very self reliant intelligent woman who is happy and balanced. She used to play for hours on her own very happily and the school said she was doing just fine and was actually a good self starter and that was common in singletons ( as they knew them then) my daughter also found going off to uni easier than many of her friends as she was quite self reliant. I was a single work mum during her childhood and made time to do special things at weekends and have friends for sleepovers etc

I'm sure your son will be a well rounded independent young man and having a working mum? It's a bonus for him to grow up seeing a strong positive role model as his mum