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Parenting

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Original poster

Leaving DS to play on his own

16 replies

newmum234 · 13/08/2020 16:36

Does anyone else just leave their LO to their own devices on their playmat while having a cup of tea or doing chores? I’ve been doing this a bit recently and feeling somewhat guilty, like I should be playing with him all the time. He’s 3.5 months...

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Aquamarine1029 · 13/08/2020 16:38

Learning to entertain yourself is a very important skill. If your baby is happy, letting them soothe themselves for a bit is perfectly fine. Just be sure they are in a safe space.

SnuggyBuggy · 13/08/2020 16:40

No, independent play is such an important skill

Kayjay2018 · 13/08/2020 16:41

@newmum234 our babies must be about the same age (was 14 weeks on Monday). I quite often pop my DD under her baby gym while I grab breakfast/ make lunch etc etc, she seems to enjoy the toys and music and has learnt to shuffle her way around the mat on her back in the last 2 weeks. I never leave her alone, she's always supervised and to be honest I'm loving having 5 minutes to myself! Sounds like you are doing a great job 😀

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Choochoose · 13/08/2020 16:41

Yes absolutely, as long as they are somewhere safe and happy enough chilling by themselves then yes.

Justmuddlingalong · 13/08/2020 16:41

As long as he's safe, crack on. He'll learn to amuse himself and you'll have some time to yourself to do other things. What's to feel guilty about?

GisAFag · 13/08/2020 16:43

Wait for the i never leave my child alone ever brigade

Original poster

newmum234 · 13/08/2020 16:46

and has learnt to shuffle her way around the mat on her back in the last 2 weeks.

Ha DS is now doing this as well!

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Breastfeedingworries · 13/08/2020 16:47

I’ve always done this. Even left my dd in separate room (when she’s been secured in swing, baby jumper, play centre or stroller) she plays very well on her own. It means I can Sun bathe outside with her playing. Put her to bed with no tears, she wakes and plays. So I get a lot of time to myself.

Very handy today as I’m not at all well.

TinySleepThief · 13/08/2020 16:51

Oh gosh 100% if they will let you leave them unattended whilst you get a cuppa or do some laundry and they are safe leave them be. Don't feel any guilt, its such an important useful life skill.

I'll just be over here living vicariously through you all whilst silently wishing my high needs, you must never be more than 2 cm away from me at any time unless im asleep 8 month old would contemplate independent play.

IncrediblySadToo · 13/08/2020 16:52

It's good for them - don't feel guilty.

Obviously just make sure all the toys are safe.
No long cords/ties etc

And realise he's more mobile than you think! So cover any sharp edges like fireplace surrounds, even if you leave him a few feet away!

QforCucumber · 13/08/2020 17:01

We are currently all in the front room, I'm on mn, DH watching golf, DS1 (age 4) is playing with transformers, ds 2 (9 weeks) is on his playmat singing to the flashing turtle. Its lovely - for the next 2 minutes at least.

booklover164 · 13/08/2020 17:01

I did this all the time with my DS2 at that age and he now plays beautifully by himself. A close friend of mine with a similar age child never left him and always played with him and now he demands her attention ALL the time. It's really important for their development to learn to entertain themselves and be happy in their own company ( imho!)

Original poster

newmum234 · 13/08/2020 17:03

Thanks all - glad I’m not being a neglectful parent!

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modgepodge · 13/08/2020 17:59

My child was left to her own devices for hours and hours and hours most days during lockdown as my husband and I were both attempting to work!! One of us would always be nearby paying attention in case she did anything dangerous (she was 1 at the start of lockdown) but she was left to play most of the day. It’s fine, even without such extreme circumstances!!

FizzingWhizzbee123 · 13/08/2020 19:23

Absolutely. If they’re safe and not crying, leave them to it for a bit. I also used to leave my baby in his cot sometimes when he woke up too early, again as I long as he wasn’t crying, I’d leave him rolling around in there.

Caspianberg · 14/08/2020 11:00

Yes. Mine is 14 weeks as well. He is t that keen on being left to occupy himself yet, but I am trying to leave him to play alone 5 mins with me on the sofa nearby so he can see me but I’m not actively playing with him.

I think it’s good for them, and I hope over time it will encourage him to be happy to play alone 30 mins whilst I sort laundry and clean kitchen for example as he grows and can start crawling and Pottering around.

I am completely happy being there for him 24/7 right now whilst he is small, but realistically I can’t entertain him 24/7 for the next 10 years!

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