Why are days with toddler so long?!

[Xlalalaladdd]

I have a 2.8 year old and he has the concentration of a gnat, is this normal?
I try and do relatively wholesome stuff with him on days off with him (work part time) like today we did swimming, playground, went to the shop, colouring in. Incredibly these activities seemed to only fill in about 2 hours of the day, and he has no ability to just play on his own. Anything I suggest goes down like a lead balloon, and when I try and just ignore him and do the dishwasher or whatever, he whinges. Invariably our day basically feels like a few quick activities glued together with TV. Do other people have the same issue or have I got a particularly poor concentrator? I know I should encourage independent play but he just isn't that interested the toys he has.
Anyway this day feels like it's been three years long...

Sounds normal to me!

He's only 2. His attention span will grow. Also, that's way more activities than I did with mine!

Ha oh well at least it's normal! I just sometimes am so flummoxed as to what to do all day with him...

I think at this age you can start to gently ignore some of the whinging. As in, you’ve played together, you’ve read, you’ve done x activity, now mum is going to [hang up the washing] and you’re going to play with your toys here. Start with five minutes. Praise any independent play he does do. Ignore whinging unless it escalates.

Oh god, yes. When DS1 was this age I tried to make sure I was up and out of the house early and for as long as possible

So up and out for playgroup at 9.30am

11.30am Lunch in a cafe with friends who also had toddlers

1pm Another toddler group after lunch

Then home for a late nap when I would rest.

Then they've had such a busy day they are hopefully happier to have a quieter afternoon and watch tv/play/potter about the garden.