is she bored? how much time do you spend on playing with your child?

dpraseutsinh

probably gonna sound silly, but sometimes i watch DD play by herself and i think "man, she looks so bored being by herself!" i want to play with her, but i honestly don't know how to play with a 1 year old. older kids are easier to play with... they pretend, or we'll do tea parties or something. advice on how you interact with your one year old? 

also, how long do you spend time with your children vs. independent play time? thanks!

hopefulmom81

It is easy to put our own feelings onto our children.  We would be bored if we were doing what they are doing, but to them, it is usually a novel, decently entertaining thing to do.

DD spent 45 minutes yesterday putting Disney figurines into small cups...who knew?

If she was bored, she would let you know

KatieB19

When ds was a year, we spent a lot of time reading books. It was his favorite thing to do with me. We'd go through all of his books, and he'd pick them up to start again.

We also rolled a ball back and forth as best as we could, practiced walking holding onto my fingers or a walker, and just made up silly games to get laughs.

That was also the age I really started encouraging independent play, too. Helped with getting things done around the house

KatieB19

And actually, I enjoyed that better than the pretend play he's getting into now. As much as I remember enjoying playing pretend as a child, I just can't get into it now and get bored so quickly.

Tink112011

My DS is almost unable to have independent play time.  It's something I've really been trying to work on with him, but with little success.  He is in daycare full-time and is used to have playmates and activities.

So when we're at home, I'm interacting with my DS almost all day long.  Not necessarily playing, but doing chores, cleaning, and cooking side by side.  He is perfectly happy to sweep his little broom along side me, vacuum with his toy vacuum next to me, watch me chop vegetables and cook meals.  Yesterday his grandma was over and I thought it would be a great time for me to clean the bathroom while she played with him.  No, he ran into the bathroom and wanted to watch me clean!  I had to coax him back into his bedroom to play with his grandma.  It's not bad since I'm still getting stuff done, but I still wish he had the ability to play by himself.  He is just an extrovert and social butterfly by nature.

If I were you, I would appreciate that your LO can play independently!  Don't interrupt her play unless she is wanting you to join her!

amie444

My LO is only 7.5 months old.  But I guess it is almost 50/50 .  I enjoy it more than I thought I would.  We push buttons and grab balls.  But it is also fun watching her play on her own.  Being an only, that is a skill she is going to have to develop.

Ago

I wish my daughter did more independent play/time!  Maybe it is the age, but she has always been like this - either one of us has to be playing with her, or she wants a friend to play with her.  The only time she is by herself is when she is watching something on TV while we are getting ready for the day or she is mad and shuts herself in her room.

kristennd

Frankly I have a lot of trouble remembering what we did when he was one, and that was only a year and a half ago!

A lot of books. The simple peg puzzles. Measuring cups and mixing bowls on the kitchen floor. He had an exersaucer and an activity table.

this decaf life

DD is one and she spends a lot of time playing by herself. I figure she's not bored if she's not trying to climb on me.