Is there a such thing as to much independent play?

My kid is an expert at independent play. At 15 months she can play on her own for hours. I sit close to where she plays and interact with her still especially if she comes near me. I don’t sit and play with her as much through the day. I will do a few mins and pretend to talk with her stuffies and us play with them for a few and show how things work or help with a new skill and teach body parts (nose,ears,mouth,eyes) I pick her up a lot and we cuddle often. But she can independent play all day if I let her. What is normal for independence? Like is this okay? Am I doing it all right? When kids are around she plays well with them. She is sweet and patient. But it’s not often as I don’t have many friends with kids who see me often atm. We really only have my niece and nephew who she adores and on parties or holidays and at parks.
Like
Share Mobile
Share
  • Share

Show your support

She’s ahead of all her milestones btw! We had her 15 month check up and they said she’s doing great. I didn’t think of this question at the moment though. I occasionally watch my show or fiddle with my phone but I always interact with her especially if she comes up to me. I try to involve her in chores like turning on the dryer or the washer. I just feel I’m not doing as much with play. My mom was a couch mom so she NEVER played with me she always watched me and I just didn’t pick up the skill to play with my kid as much I guess. It feels out of place sometimes. So please tell me I’m doing something right

I’m not an expert but I’d think if you are playing with her then leaving her to play on her own because she enjoys it then you’re doing fine. Especially if you’re still near by then I would think she is aware of that and is comfortable. Doesn’t sound like she’s left alone in a room for hours on end. My mom guilt brain would struggle with this but not because I judge it but because I never feel I’m doing enough lol

@Jodi I could never let her be in a room alone for hours 😭 if she goes to her room I follow and just sit by! She does enjoy it she’s very creative in learning how to play. She’s fine with being bored (unless it’s in the car LOL) I just as you say feel I never do enough. Thank you for your response!

My son also plays alone. I'm kind of bored ahahaha. I want to play with him but he is happy to do it on his own. 13 months here. Don't know if it's normal but you are not alone

Mine is the same! He will happily play by himself and he will come over now and then for a cuddle or will bring me toys if he wants me to play with him ☺️ I think it’s great for them

Wow - amazing. I wish!

If she’s content, I’d continue to let her play independently. I wish! My first child was like that. My second born is a stage 5 clinger and I wish he’d play more independently sometimes.

@Patience lol you sound like me my oldest is 9 and I still sit next to him 😂

As much as I love my stage 4 clinger, I wish he had the skills like that. He always wants me to play with him and rarely to never does it by himself.

I think independent play is such an important skill to have. I try to force my 5yr old to do more independent play because it’s not good to be in the habit of always entertaining your kid. I think your daughter playing on her own so well is a good thing! You’re doing great.

Yes that’s my son he’s very good at independent play when he was crawling he’d just crawl and follow me around the house and sometimes I’d find him behind a door keeping occupied with…a headband or something mundane lol.

Yeah I freaked out when my son did this too but honestly everyone was just like "No! It's a blessing!" So I began to view it as that. He's totally happy. When he wants to play he lets us know. He's almost 2 and a half and he's totally fine

I was wondering this myself.. makes me feel better, can't lie lol my girl is also 15 months

Read more on Peanut
Trending in our community