Anyone else's children unable to play alone?!

[fedupx1000000000000]

My 2 year old follows me around constantly. All day. Every day. I've tried playing with him, starting him off and moving away, leaving toys around, planning activities but all he wants to do is be around me. I'm going mad with the constant company and the incessant 'mummy' 'mummy' 'mummy' on repeat. This child just cannot play by himself. Is this another phase? Does it get better? It's got to the stage now where I just want to shout as I cannot get anything else done. I'm beginning to the resent the poor child.

Nope my 4 year old still can’t really play alone, it’s hellish. At some point I have to walk away, cbeebies and a bunch of toys in a safe room when little they will figure something out or not but I have stuff to do!

Do they have siblings? Think it's v normal. My DC's at that age loved messy play so buckets of warm water with their toys in it , sand, flour etc. All of mine loved when I built a den, they'd play for ages in one. Mine are all close in age so luckily had each other which also massively helps! Oh baking was another massive hit !

Have you always played and entertained them? My 4 yo is good at playing on her own but thats because thats how we've always done it since she was about 18months

Carry on with what you need to do, keep suggesting toys they can play with, but i always used to just say mummy can't play now, i'll be in in 10mins ot whatever. We've always used TV as well, as from 2 my dd would watch at least 30mins of a film

Can he 'help' you in what you are doing? At that age kids often 'play alongside' rather than with other children. So try mirroring that. If you were doing cleaning , let him to a bit. If you washing up, give him a bowl of soapy water and some cups. If you are on a computer, can he have have his own keyboard? Try involving him in things you are doing rather than giving him 'kids toys' and see if that helps.

Very normal especially at age 2. My son can play alone more now he's a bit older (4) but he still asks me to play a lot.
Easy things that keep them busy are water play, playdoh, masking tape stuck on the floor as a "road" for cars, cardboard box dens. As they grow older their imagination is better for lone play, but some kids just like being played with and done are better/prefer playing alone!

Sounds familiar...think it's very normal.

Yep my lo can't play alone.

Sounds normal (I hope ). DS is nearly 2 and I agree with @MrsHumphrieswife. I have far more success letting him get involved in whatever I’m doing then trying to distract him with toys. He’s generally good at playing, but likes a playmate, which I think is completely fair to be honest. It doesn’t have to be all on their terms though.