This probably has been asked before, but I'm getting a little concerned with DS (15.5 months)'s inability to play by himself. He goes to DC and does fine there, but if he is home with us, he wants one of us to be sitting on the floor with him. He doesn't actually "play" with us, but he wants to know that we are there. And it's not just about seeing us, we can't be doing anything either (e.g. reading a book, cleaning up, etc.) So we just sit there beside him while he plays. If we try to walk away or do something else, he follows us, cries, and/or try to disrupt us.
I'm not sure how normal this is and whether or not we need to correct the behaviour. I personally do not mind spending the time with him (I can always get everything else done when he naps or goes to bed); and the fact that he plays fine by himself at DC gives me some comfort that he can do it; so I'm just not sure if I should try to enforce independent play more when I'm home with him.
Re: How good is your LO with independent play?
I should maybe add that I'm a SAHM and with her all day, every day, so it might be different for a kid who's parents aren't there all day.
My son (19 months) has always been a little bit like this. He will play by himself for short periods at home (longer period on the weekends), but after daycare, he's pretty clingy. I think part of it is winding down and being tired from a long day of a playing. I'm not overly concerned about it. Just like he didn't play with other kids at daycare for a long time, he and the other kids his age are starting to engage more with each other now. I think their play "styles" will continue to change over time. Eventually, they'll want nothing to do with us - not looking forward to that day! :-(
As for tips for dealing with it right now? Could you put a play kitchen in your kitchen and that way he can "cook" while you cook but not,necessarily, have to be right next to you?
Have you considered wearing him? Maybe he just wants to be close to you? Then if he squirms and doesn't like it, put him back in his play spot. Or you could give him things to do to "help" you in whatever task you're trying to accomplish, or just something similar to keep him occupied. I mean, I would try to give him stretches where he free plays without your involvement, but I honestly have no idea how to make that happen, because my DS is younger and fairly independent. Hope you figure something out!
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018