I was having a conversation with my Mom yesterday and sometimes she feels compelled to spurt out random tidbits of information. We hadn't been talking about it, but she told me that if Claire is playing by herself to not interrupt her. Solitary play is important and they need to be able to stimulate themselves. (Again, according to my Mom).

Anyways, Claire has always been good with solitary play. She's so good in fact that I worry at times that I'm not doing enough with her. She's content for the time being to play with her blocks or toys on the ground in the living room and that's that. If I let her, she'd play all morning by herself.

She'll play with me if I instigate it, and there are times where she'll walk or crawl over to me with a toy, but it isn't like my nephew who needs my SIL to play with him more often. I'm sure I'm making something out of nothing... but at what point do you try to get them to stop playing by themselves? Or do you? I know people who would KILL to be able to have a few moments of non-interaction with their LOs, but I like playing with Claire. She's funny and fun to be around.

Or should I just leave well enough alone? She definitely doesn't seem bothered or that she's lacking in anything.

Boy you are lucky! my LO follows me everywhere and insists that i play with her, if i dont then she clings to my legs until I stop what i'm doing and go play with her I'd leave Claire be! If she's happy playing on her own let her, and when you want to play with her, go play with her.

As a child myself I was like Claire, up until about 10! I would go sit in my bedroom and play with my barbie house and dolls for hours on end.

Hmm tricky but the main thing to say is that am sure your mum's intentions are all well and good but she is your baby, so if you want to play with her, you go for it!! I'd say Poppy is kind of half and half. As long as I am in the room with her she will happily sit and play on her ownn for a while, quite often sitting in the corner with her back to me looking at a book!

But she does eventually get bored, or wants other stimulation and then either comes over to where I am, or gives me a toy or something.
I don't think there's a right or wrong to this and I am sure that whilst solitary play is good, your LO will also get a great deal out of interaction with her mummy

hmm that's a tough one and we don't really have that problem but if it were me I think that I would let her play alone sometimes but also go play with her when you wanted. Yes it's good she can play on her own but I think it's also important for us to play with our toddlers. It's one way to spend quality time with them, show them and teach them new things (not saying you don't do this just why I think it's good to play with Claire too )

See that's what I thought too Vickie! I definitely love showing her things and then watching how excited she gets when the lightbulb in her head turns on and she figured something out!

I definitely think that it is great that she is able to entertain herself, but also improtant to try and interact with her. ALexander and her seem the same, however he seems to be more happy moving about than sitting in one spot.

I think if you are making an effort and she is happy that is all that matters. You are not flat out ignoring her, or plopping her in front of the TV.

Claire needs to have a talk with Hannah

oh and I always get the opposite from my mom, Hannah doesn't play alone enough, I spend to much time playing with her

dex plays by himself most of the day but he does come up to me a lot to 'show me things' and to make sure I am there. I used to worry he was to independent but he has recently started a clingy phase so I am thankful that he will at least play by himself.

As a nursery nurse hun we are always told not to interrupt play as they are learning from it. Solitary play is about right for her age, then she will move onto parrelle play etc.

Its good she has her own independance but yeah sometimes if you feel like a play with her then just go in and use whatever she is using without interrupting and and she will some if she wants to play with you if not she will stay on her own

Your mum is half right but solitary play is good for her as she is learning to form an independance from you but so is parrelle play as she is learning vital social and emotional skills

Sorry if I rambled
xx