Playing Solo

My daughter goes through phases when she won't play by herself, I keep some toys hid and switch them around when she is sleeping that usually helps bucouse it seems new to her. she also like boxes and empty tubs. some of her favorites are empty bottles that I filled with different things like raw noodles and uncooked popcorn to make noise

that's o.k. she's not big on playing.let her have fun with tupperware while in kitchen or pans....mine use to crawl inside big cupboard under sink and i'd give her a flashlight. or be inside of toy box. actaully sit in their and be happy. maybe it might work for ya or not..good luck

Maybe she is asking for some company....maybe alittle brother or sister? lol
How about a pet?
Can you join some play groups or find some other children that are close in her age to play with?
My children usually loved to have thier alone time....

I would try to get her involved in helping you even if she's not really helping. Like if I am in the kitchen I would let my daughter stack boxes and things from the cupboard or "fold" laundry with me. Of course you will have to refold laundry later. Just give her something like washcloths. She will like that she is helping and you can get things done and still be with her. Good luck!

When my daughter was two she did the same thing. Actually I got her into play-dough and coloring. Things she could do and interact with me while I didn't have to be playing with her. I let her pick out her playdough kit and she "makes me somthin'" while I make dinner, colors and sorts when I'm organizing the bills etc. It worked for me, hopefully it will work for you!
N.

Maybe you're not capitalizing on her wanting to be by herself. She will sometimes want to play by herself, even if she doesn't know it. I've noticed that when my daughter is particular fussy about my play, (telling me how to play, getting very quickly upset, etc. if I'm not doing it exactly the way she wants me to do it) most often, she probably needs to be by herself for a little while. When that happens, I just make a quick excuse to pardon myself from play, (I have to go to the bathroom) and soon, she will be playing on her own. It took me a little while to recognize when she WANTED to play vs. when she THOUGHT she wanted me to play. Kids need to play by themselves, but might not be able to dis-enguage when it's needed. Sometimes, the loss of a playmate is hard for them if they are already upset so seeing the cues are particularly important early on in play, or you could be facing a meltdown. Also, something else that cound work, I've found that if I play an hour with my daughter, I'll tell her that I have to do dishes, or make supper, etc., and she'll have to play on her own for a little while, but if she wants, she can come play with me, or help me make supper or do the dishes. She usually prefers to be on her own, but sometimes, I'm surprised when she says that she'll help me. It's give and take. Good luck, I know it's hard when you're their friend, and a parent. Just think what we have instore for ourselves and they are teenagers, when they need a parent that they can trust like a friend. Yikes!

Try untraditional toys.. a cardboard box, some masking tape just weird odds and ends that are safe but different and fun. My 5 year old., has more fun playing in a laundry basket than sitting on the floor with her barbies. I have a only child and this is tuff, I just got her use to that I will play with her but I need my own time, and time to do things around the kitchen like cook or clean and she is more than welcome to follow me or sit besides me or even help but that I cannot physically play with her 24/7. Usually just talking to her and making conversation or singing songs and being silly helps while I do what I need to get done. My daughter just doesn't want to be alone or isolated so as long as she is in the general area with me she's good to go.

i know the feeling. my step son is 5 and he is the same way. He lives with us during the summer and he constantly follows me around and i cant get anything done. i even told him that when i am outside, it is J. time and he still stands by the door and watches me and waits for me to come in. we have bought him a tv for his room and have really tried everything to get him to entertain himself, but he wont. he will bring all his toys out in the living room and want daddy to play with him. i dont know why this is. i had thought that it was becuz he has some kind of separation anxiety or saomething, maybe hes afraid that we will leave him or something, but i dont know. sorry i wasnt much help, i can just relate

You've gotten some great suggestions, M.. I would add that you can try using a timer. You get 5 minutes to do something and when the timer rings it's her turn to have your undivided attention. You can work up to 10 minutes or longer.

Gradually get her used to it. At 2 1/2 its going to be harder than if you had gotten her used to it younger. Get her going on an activity, and then say 'I'll be right back' and leave the room to do something, and do come back in a few minutes to check on her, give her some praise, and then start making the time longer and longer. Of course you don't let a 2 1/2 year old alone for too long, but 1/2 hour is reasonable time for her tobe able to play by herself with a game or toys.