Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

I’ve just left DS alone on his playmat for half an hour

83 replies

newmum234 · 03/11/2020 08:39

DS (6 months) has been on his playmat for the last 35 mins, entertaining himself by playing with his toys. I’ve been sitting on the sofa nearby, keeping an eye on him but not interacting with him at all and scrolling through my phone instead. I’m a terrible mum aren’t I? Sad

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
AtrociousCircumstance · 03/11/2020 08:40

No. If he’s happy and fine, enjoy some relaxation. You’re good Brew

shipperssss · 03/11/2020 08:40

I would win worst mum in the world award if this was the criteria! Please stop being so hard on yourself.

Onekidnoclue · 03/11/2020 08:40

Holy cow! That’s a win. He sounds happy you sound like you’ve had a break. WINNING!
Pat yourself on the back rather than beating yourself up. X

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting
Thesearmsofmine · 03/11/2020 08:41

No, that is pretty normal, he is happy and safe so what is the issue?

SoupDragon · 03/11/2020 08:41

Of course you aren't :) He was happily playing and you were having half an hour off.

RedskyAtnight · 03/11/2020 08:41

If the play mat is in the middle of a shark infested swamp, this is terrible parenting. Otherwise very sensible :)

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 03/11/2020 08:41

Please just enjoy the moment. And remember it's part of the job of parents to teach our children to be independent. That happens smoothly when we allow them to choose their independent times.
You just did that.

SinkGirl · 03/11/2020 08:42

Dear lord, what I wouldn’t give to go back to the days where I could leave my twins on the play mat to play for a while and they stayed where I put them. Enjoy it!

Children need to learn to explore toys and movement, it’s the basis of their development - you don’t have to be on him all the time!

FoxtrotOscarPoppet · 03/11/2020 08:42

No - you were with him and keeping an eye.
I think it’s good that they learn to entertain themselves now and then.
Don’t be hard on yourself. Mums need rest too. x

user1493413286 · 03/11/2020 08:43

I thought you were going to say you’d gone out or something! I think it’s good for babies to have time to explore toys by themselves. Plus with second, third children etc babies are often left to get on with it

NameChange30 · 03/11/2020 08:45

In the nicest possible way, get a grip!

Your thread title is misleading - he wasn't alone, you were right next to him.

NatalieH2220 · 03/11/2020 08:45

Not at all, enjoy it while it lasts! He'll let you know when he has had enough.

LittleMissLockdown · 03/11/2020 08:46

Fuck thinking you're a failure all I could think of when I read your post was pure jealousy!! DS now nearing 11 months has a current record of entertaining himself for 7 minutes! Enjoy it whilst you can.

chunkyrun · 03/11/2020 08:46

Is this not pretty standard 🤣

Apileofballyhoo · 03/11/2020 08:47

You're a winner, OP. Your baby is happy.

missmouse101 · 03/11/2020 08:48

What's so awful about that? It's a good thing.

Original poster
newmum234 · 03/11/2020 08:49

Thanks. I just worry I should be entertaining him all the time - and forgot to add in my OP that this (me leaving him to play on his own) is a daily occurrence, not a one off! Sad. Anyway, he started crying just after I finished typing my first post so we read a book together.

OP posts:
becca3210 · 03/11/2020 08:49

God I am jealous (my six month old doesn't entertain himself for even a tiny fraction of that time!) Grin

StopCryingYourHeartOut · 03/11/2020 08:50

Eh? Seriously? That's normal. What a weird thread.

Original poster
newmum234 · 03/11/2020 08:50

Your thread title is misleading - he wasn't alone, you were right next to him.

Sorry, didn’t mean to mislead.

OP posts:
YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 03/11/2020 08:50

Enjoy it, mine is crawling now and won't sit still that long

seayork2020 · 03/11/2020 08:51

Why on earth would that be wrong? You could start him on latin i suppose instead

Original poster
newmum234 · 03/11/2020 08:53

Why on earth would that be wrong? You could start him on latin i suppose instead

Because I feel I should be interacting more. But I’m exhausted.

OP posts:
Disappointedkoala · 03/11/2020 08:57

No, you're fine. I leave my toddler in front of the TV for a bit every day to "cook her dinner". Spend most of that time scrolling MN and eating biscuits. Parents need quiet time too.

LilaButterfly · 03/11/2020 08:58

Its actually good for kids to learn to entertain themselves. And it will make your life so much better later on!
My kids always had some "alone" time from very early on. Obviously as babies i was watching them while cleaning or cooking or sitting on the couch. Now they do an hour of quiet time after school. They do homework, read, listen to stories or play together. But they have to stay in their room. Its not even an issue.
My best friend always felt the need to entertain her kids. She asked me how i get anything done when they were babies and was horrified when i told her DC play on the mat alone while i clean Hmm
Her children now are always soooo booored. They cant even play on a playground while we have a chat. Every 2mins we get interrupted because my friend has to push the swing or watch them slide.
I get exhausted watching her.
I mean, its not like i never play with my kids.. we spend lots of time together playing, but not every second of every day.