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kmc217
member
My DD has forgotten how to play
kmc217
member
I had a debilitating 3rd trimester with a very very hard recovery (bruised tailbone) and currently have a very high needs, hard/unable to soothe, can't put downable baby. As a result, my DDs had a lot more TV time than usual. My girls have always been great about playing independently and using their imaginations but DD2 was more following the lead of DD1 who orchestrated everything. Now DD1 is in kindergarten and DD2 is home with me and baby 2 days a week and I cannot get her interested in playing ANYTHING by herself. It is so frustrating because I can't nor do I want to entertain her 24/7. I try to set her up with things and as soon as I leave her she stops and comes whining at me to watch TV or play the nook or on my phone. Everything I offer her to do is "NO!" Even reading to her or doing a puzzle on the couch while I nurse DS is rejected. She is in preschool 2 days a week (1 full, 1 half) and a home daycare with friends 2 days. She does swimming and open gymnastics so she isn't bored. I am a firm believer in kids being able to occupy themselves at times and she seems to have forgotten how to do it. Any suggestions? (She is fine playing when DD1 is around to coordinate)
DD1 7/10/08 DD2 8/11/10 DS 7/2/13
This discussion has been closed.
Re: My DD has forgotten how to play
You could try just giving her an activity to do and setting a timer for 10 or 15 minutes and just telling her she needs to play alone until the timer goes off. I would probably stop tv time all together or use it as a reward for playing by herself. Say, if she plays alone for 3, 15 minute secessions she can watch one 20 minute show...you can use a sticker chart or something similar. Then increase the amount of time she has to play before she earns tv/electronic time.