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Parenting

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Original poster

Is ok to leave 8mo to play by himself?

12 replies

roslily · 19/05/2010 17:46

Not as in while go sit in garden or something, i am always in same room.

He was a very needy, couldn't be put down for 10secs while i wee, little baby.

But now he will sit for quite a while om floor, with his box of toys, emptying it out, chewing box etc while i sit on sofa or next to him.

Should i be playing with him more? I tell myself i am teaching him independent play, but maybe i should do more? not all day btw- about 30mins at a time

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mrsflux · 19/05/2010 17:52

I think little ones need some time with mummy play and some time to just investigate stuff. I'm sure you aren't ignoring him so don't worry!
If you have a bit of both and are watching enough so that you'd spot somethig dangerous or a new trick then it's fine!

Well at least that's what I do.

DrCosyTiger · 19/05/2010 19:47

Me too. My DD is 14m now and like your DS she was an incredibly demanding baby when she was younger. I couldn't put her down for a minute without her screaming. I used to go to mother and baby groups and look at all the babies happily lying on the playmat with disbelief and think I was doing something terribly wrong as mine just cried when I put her down. So now I can hardly believe that she's able to entertain herself for ages with her toys and - especially - her big box of books. It seems too good to be true and I found it hard to relax at first as I kept expecting the screaming to start again. But I think she now genuinely enjoys exploring her environment without me constantly harassing her - she will bring something over to me if she wants my input, a toy to look at or a book to read. So I think it's absolutely fine to leave your DS to his own devices for a while as long as you keep an eye out for danger - relax and enjoy it!

maltesers · 19/05/2010 19:56

30 mins is ok, but long enough , more or less; if you are there and keeping an eye on him. As long as he gets attention from you at other times and good interaction he will be fine. He doesnt need you to keep talking and responding to him all the time, afterall. If he looks content then he is fine for a little while.

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mazzystartled · 19/05/2010 19:59

of course it's okay, it's a great idea
i would leave him for as long as he is happy
i am sure that he still gets plenty of attention, company and stimulation throughout the day

Pozzled · 19/05/2010 20:05

Absolutely, personally I think it's a really good thing to encourage independent play. As long as you are close by and he is happy. Enjoy it while you can, he will be walking before you know it and then it is so much harder to get time to sit down!

VoulezVouzCrochezAvecJACK · 19/05/2010 20:11

god yes, I was a bit overexcited with DD1 and as a result she is super attention seeking.
DD2 was dumped on the floor a lot as DD1 was 19 months when she was born and a bit of a whirlwind. She can happily play on her own for hours with only occasionally surfacing from under the table to see where I am.

LadyBiscuit · 19/05/2010 20:15

maltesers if you leave an 8mo for more than 30 mins they will not turn into an ignored child from Romania.

Leave them until they get bored and wail for you. Teaching them to play on their own is a godsend

IMoveTheStars · 19/05/2010 20:19

Yes, definitely OK. Encourage a bit on independance, you'll thank yourself for it in a year or two when he's happily playing by himself for hours on end in the garden, rather than demanding you join in with every game

Original poster

roslily · 19/05/2010 22:29

Great. he seems very happy, chatting away to his toys. Every so often he holds a toy up for me and gurgles.

I will enjoy the hot cup of tea time guilt free!

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MaisietheMorningsideCat · 19/05/2010 22:34

God yes. By the time you're on to your third or fourth you'll be lucky if you remember where you put him.

maltesers · 20/05/2010 14:56

Alright LADYBISCUIT.. . . .its been a while.
Mine are 22,19 and 9 yrs.. . . . .
Am sure if you left sitting on its own, a well cared baby for two hours its not going to turn into an ignored child from Romania. Leave as long as is happy is the motto.

LadyBiscuit · 20/05/2010 15:31

Wotcha maltesers

Good stuff OP. Now you can MN in peace

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