my niece won't play in her bedroom......?

Question

My sister has a rule that all toys must be kept in the bedrooms and no matter what we do we cannot get my 3 year old niece to play in her room. She keeps saying she is scared of the cow in there. Ok there is no cow and when you tell her that then she changes her story and comes up with something else that she is scared of. She will go in her room by herself to get things or change clothes and doesn't have any problems taking naps or going to bed in her room. Why would she be afraid to play in there if nothing else about it seems to bother her. We've tried going in and playing with her and even that will only last for a few minutes. She has lots of toys that she loves to play with-just not in her room. Occasionally when the weather in nice she can select a few toys to take outside and play with and she gets to take some of her favorites when she goes to grandma's house so it's not that she doesn't like her toys she just won't play in her room. Any suggestions why?

ok i thought i said in the question even if we go in and play with her she will only stay in there for a few minutes before she's asking to go into another room...any room. When her cousins are there (3 cousing within 1 yr of her) or her friends they can all be playing in her room and she still will refuse to play in there.

Answer 1

She probably just gets bored being by herself in there.

I have never heard of anybody that wouldn't let their kids play in the living room!!! As long as she puts the toys away at the end of the day, what is the big deal?

Answer 2

Even if you're in the room with her, there are still other people outside of the room. She wants time with everyone. Your niece shounds like a very sociable child. Eliminate the rule of her only playing in the bedroom and work with her on bringing one toy out of her room at a time and putting it away before she gets another one. Let her play in the living room, for goodness sake! As a teenager, she'll spend more time in her room. Treasure every minute she wants to spend with you while you can.

Answer 3

It doesn't sound like she is afraid to play in there at all but just doesn't want to. That is a weird rule if you ask me. What your sister should be teaching her daughter is how to put things back where she got them from. If she takes a toy out of her room, she has to put it back when she is finished. It is not the child, just the rule.

Answer 4

I totally agree with the first poster.

I mean, I'm 35, and I only go in my bedroom to sleep, spend time with my husband, or have a few minutes alone! Otherwise, I much prefer to hang out in the kitchen or living room.

My kids are the same way. They go in their rooms when they want to be alone, but otherwise they want to be in the center of the action. They're not afraid; they just want to play AND be near us at the same time.

I think your sister's rule is unreasonable for a child so young.

Answer 5

I don't even have to finish your post to tell you the answer. The 3 year old just wants to be out with everyone else. Not hid away in her bedroom. This is perfectly normal. She can always be taught to bring only the toy she is playing with out and then put it away before playing with a different toy.

Answer 6

I bet that she just wants company. I mean a little girl all by herself playing isn't as much fun as seeing family members go in and out of rooms. I just bet that if you were to play in her room with her, she would be delighted to stay in there. As a three year old she likes to see busy stuff going on and of course company, otherwise she would really be lonely. Or you just just ask her what is going on and then she might tell you the truth. Just listen to her, a three year old is at a very smart time in their life. Good luck...

Answer 7

I also have a daughter that would not play in her room, not because she was really afraid, but because she was bored playing by herself. It sounds like this might be the case here. Will she play in there if someone goes with her? I wouldn't want to be stuck all alone in my room either :)

Answer 8

She probaly wants to spend time with her mom and you...She can't express that..but children like and need to be close to an adult/caregiver/parent. Is there a reason that her toys can not come out of her room?..If it is because it makes a mess, simply put the toys away after..no big deal.

Answer 9

My query is, why could your sister have this form of rule? enjoying in ordinary terms in the mattress room? How unhappy...why did she even have young toddlers? yet I digress... i develop into terrified of my be sure's bathing room for years as a results of fact I had a bad dream approximately it...there develop right into a monster there who had to consume me. We moved out of that domicile while i develop into 11, and that i never have been given over being terrified of that room! My suggestion could be to ask her to tutor you the cow that she's terrified of. do no longer tell her this is no longer there...stick to alongside, and attempt to get her to tutor you what it somewhat is it somewhat is scaring her. it may additionally be a valid it somewhat is creeping her out. next time she says she's terrified of the cow, say, "nicely, i visit make that cow bypass away. tutor me the place it somewhat is so as that i will deliver it back to the barn!" artwork to enable her have self assurance you have banished the cow (or despite it seems to be). P.S. i think of TraditionGal is incorrect...i think of it ought to severely harm your neice's psyche if she's compelled to "play" the place she's scared.

Answer 10

ummmmmm,,,,, she wants to be where everyone else is,, I don't blame her. Tell your up-tight sister to let her bring some toys out of her room... Sheesh,, before long that child will never come out of her room,, the time now should be enjoyed! Don't bannish that child!!!