If You Have a Toddler and Stay at Home

I spend lots of time with my kids, but I rarely get on the floor and play with them. My toddler actually tells me to "go away," as he is busy doing X.

Small increments. They don't play "with" anyone. They are learning about gravity and other high minded ideas - like color and feel and toes.

I let him play on his own - and i participate sometimes.

He's fine - I know you want to play "with" him, and he's probably your first. This is the norm. If you're doing it right, they're pretty friggin independent! :)

So way to go - good job! :)

My kids are older, but I remember wondering about this, too. I spent a lot of time on the floor with them, but I also spent a lot of time with them in a highchair, watching me cook, or reading to them, and -- most importantly -- giving them time to learn to play by themselves (with you in the room or in a completely safe environment alone). We played in increments throughout the day.

I have a 4 and almst 2 year old at home. I kind of "follow their lead" if they are happily playing....why mess w/ that? LOL
But usually they are demanding attention so it does get tiring. but just do the best you can. It's very hard balancing playing w/ them, giving them some "stuctured" attention like teaching them colors, shapes, numbers etc. Then also maintaining your house and sanity.
There's no right answer, just do the best you can and what works for you and your kids. Friends of our have a little girl who rarely wants anyone playing w/ her. Even her sister. She prefers to play alone.

Our DS is 20 months. As toddlers, they are more into parallel play than interactive play. When he was younger, he was content to play largely by himself all the time. I felt ignored/ concerned about it. Our parents, friends and ped and mamapedia people all recommended that I not upset that cart. If I felt the need to play with him, I would do so for 5-10 minutes every 40 minutes or so. He really didn't have the patience for much more than that anyway.

We go out for much of the day too. Helps combat my own cabin fever, keeps the house from getting out of control, and helps keep peace with the neighbors.

Hubs and I both work full time. We are both involved in the upkeep of the apt, but do most of our house work after baby is asleep.

good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

I follow my two-year-old's lead, which means lots of interactive play. When we are in our playgroups, she is more independent and will "hang out" with the other kids.

I think toddlers can "tell" you what they want in terms of play.

When I was home with my toddlers I made a point of not being at home very much at all. If I did stay at home it made for a very long day. I took them to the park, playgroups, shopping, museums etc. I usually tried to plan an outing every morning and afternoon. When we were home I would stop what I was doing if they wanted my attention, and I would play with them briefly (long enough to read a story, or to get them involved in an activity or a toy) and then go back to what I was doing.

incriminates here and there. My girls have always been great at occupying themselves. Some kids can't entertain themselves very well and require more interaction with mom. I agree with another poster, if you are home and available to them, they'll let you know. For example yesterday I had a ton to do having just come home from vacation. I was thinking to myself "man I have not spent much time with my girls today", just then my 22 month old demanded I hold her even though it was time to make dinner. So I made dinner with one hand. She made sure she got her mommy time on.

I play with my son in little increments throughout the day. It depends on if we have errands to run, extra dishes/cleaning to do. I'm finding that the more on top of my "chores" I am, the more free time we have together, so I need to start thinking of activities.

Each child has different needs that vary each day. Some days my son barely needs me to play with him, but other days he's attached to my leg and I can barely get the dishes done. Do what works for your son and you :)

I have a 2yo at home. I do play with him a little, but mostly I talk a lot to him and encourage him to "go play". Right now is different because our older kids are home for the summer, so they are spending more time playing with him, and likewise he is "expecting" more play time with them. When they return to school in August, it will just be him and me until the new baby comes. I will spend that time both getting extra special time with him, AND trying to convince him he is not the king of the world so that his world isn't crushed when I give birth!
But to answer your question, no, I don't play with him all day. I work from home part time, I do laundry, dishes, make meals, run errands, etc. They are mostly just alongside "taking it all in". :)

My son is 20 months. He doesn't enjoy being "played with". But he does enjoy using my body as one of his toys. His new favorite game is sticking small toys down the top of my shirt and watching them fall out the bottom. He also enjoys tickling my feet. Other than that he is more content playing next to me than with me

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I played with mine most of the day when I had just the one. Otherwise I kept him in the room with me and let him play with toys and "read" books.