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18 month old wont play alone

4 replies

MissJade27 · 10/10/2022 14:38

Hey all,

So I have an almost 19 month old, he's my first child, he is looked after during the week by my mom one day, partners mom and dad another day, and his dad the other whilst i work. The rest of the time he is with me. He doesn't go to nursery at all but does spend time around my neices and nephew ages 11, 8 and 1 years old, as well as another older cousin, 4 years old and my cousins child who is 2 years old. We see these weekly.

My issue is no matter where we are, my child will not happily play alone or occupy himself, such as going to start his own play or playing with toys, he will come up to someone and drag on there hand or finger to pull them up and make them play. Or if he wants to get a toy from one side of the room and you are sitting the other side, he will cry and moan and drag until you move to go with him. I'm not sure if this is normal for his age? I can't recall it with my neice and nephew. But he will go mad if you sit on the sofa and not sit on the floor with him, he just will not have it. Of course we all play with him daily and want to spend that time with him! But I feel like at his age there should be periods where he can play solo and that might actually be good for him? I don't want him to become a child that can't occupy himself for a second. He may well be an only child so he will need to be able to occupy himself and enjoy his own company!

Am I expecting too much at his age?
He is generally a happy child but has definitely become more emotional lately and expects a lot of attention! I just worry as he keeps dragging at his nan and grandad too who are older and can't keep getting up and down to play constantly!

Any advice please and thank you 😊

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
bunpot · 10/10/2022 14:48

I'd say that's expected for 18 months. Have you tried getting him started playing and then gradually stepping back? My dd is 3 and this is still a challenge

AriettyHomily · 10/10/2022 14:51

He's just being an 18month old op. If it's too much for the grandparents could you put him in nursery for maybe half days?

Endlesslaundry123 · 10/10/2022 15:23

Yes you are expecting too much. My daughter didn't start playing alone for more than 2 minutes until she was 2.5. Now that she's 3 and goes to preschool she's really gotten the hang of it as there aren't as many adults and free play is encouraged. Also she has a sibling now so she has learnt to entertain herself.

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MissJade27 · 10/10/2022 19:11

Thanks for the replies, I'm reassured this is normal for his age and he will become more independent as he grows, hopefully grandparents can keep up with him for now as private nursery isn't really an option at the moment!

Thanks again 😊

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