Stay-At-Home Moms or Mom's of Toddlers...?

Question

...do any of you just put a pile of toys on the floor and let your kids entertain themselves? How often do you read or play with your toddler?

My daughter is 17 months old.

Answer 1

My son is 19 months old and I have toys in the living room for him to play with but depending on your child they might just find it more interesting to get into everything else. They are always exploring at this stage. I feel you should give them some alone time just like adults need alone time but depending on yourself depends on how much time you spend playing with her and also reading to her.

Answer 2

We basically have a routine during the week where myself and my four year old,spend the morning when her brother is at preschool(which the four year old should be too by now but is on the waiting list)anyway once he is off to school,I spend those 4 hours w/ her teaching her her numbers,letters,and practice her,name,address and so on..we also play games.Once my son gets home we have lunch all together and go over what he did in school,and we do some random things together throughout the day,we always read two stories before bed!Don't get me wrong there are times when I throw in a movie,video game,or let them play w a pile of toys to entertain themselves while I get stuff done around the house that needs to be done!

Answer 3

I'm not a mother however I spend most of my time with my toddler nephew.

If I need to work on something and can't play with him I will put some toys on the floor or his art kit, maybe put in a learning dvd....

I read to him all the time. he loves books! We normally read 4-5 books a day!

I think it's good to let a child play on his own tho to gain independance!

My nephew is almost 3.

Answer 4

I spend the majority of the day interacting with my child now that I am home full time. I periodically take a half hour break during day. I usually do this 1-3 times a day. During this time I sit here on the computer and she paints or draws or does a puzzle. The rest of the day we spend playing games or coloring or painting or ouitside playing or reading or something else to that nature.

Answer 5

I give my daughter (7 months old) plenty of "alone time", but I would have to say that I play with her throughout the whole day. I'm sure when she's older, it will be easier to let her entertain herself, but right now, it's up to me! I read to her sometimes during the day and night, and I play with her all day long. But when I need to smoke a cigarette or something, I usually let her entertain herself. It's up to you.

Answer 6

I have two year old twin boys and we spend most of our day in the family room. While I'm in the room the whole day they will spend about 3/4 of it playing by themselves or with eachother. I sit off the side and interact with them when they wish to receive it. The whole room is designed with them in mind so they can reach every toy, book, or activity that they wish to play with. They need constant reassurance with encouraging words when working with a puzzle or other challenging toy and will come to sit on my lap for a book, or stop by for hugs and loves. I will briefly play with them here and there but try to allow them the space they need to explore and learn.

Answer 7

My daughter and I play together, and she plays on her own. It's not neglect to let children entertain themselves. She got a new dollhouse for Christmas and she'd rather play with it than go to bed at night, LOL. Also I read to her for about 45 minutes every night, and I read the mail with her. She's 3.

Answer 8

My daughters have a toy basket in my living room and their bedrooms. They play and entertain themselves. I have separate toys that I use with them and games that I play with them. I do an activities with them everyday. Atleast one toy or game. I also read to them before they go to bed.

Answer 9

The mother of the family I babysit for used to be a stay at home mom.
When she was, and even now on her days off, she spends the entire day playing with and reading to her son.

Answer 10

I dont really play or read to my kids. i do read to them at night before bed. i will play sometimes but not all the time after i got like 12 i forgot how to play like the kids. now it is boring. they play together and watch tv. people say tv is bad but my kids are smart i think the tv helps with that or there dad smartnest becuase as for me im not that smart.