why wont my 2yr old son play by himself?

Question

I know this sounds selfish but my almost 2yr old son is driving me crazy. He will not play by himself when I am around. He would rather cry and whine at me instead. Dont get me wrong, I love playing with my son but I need to wash my face in the morning and get dressed. I would also like to put some mascara on....He will watch a cartoon but I dont want that to be my only option. Any suggestions on keeping a 2yr old boy occupied? He has tons of toys but he wont play with them unless we play together...

Answer 1

He just wants attention... I know its stressful at times but what I used to do was put on Barney and sit and watch with her, after a few days she would forget when I left the room.. It helped a lot because I was able to get my stuff done.
Have patience, try and occupy him... I know u are thinking u have already done all this but stick to a routine... it will get better

Answer 2

Keep a limited amount of toys around. We have big bins and rotate the toys, keeping the bulk in the closet. If they are all lying out in a jumble, my son won't really play with anything. Maybe have a special toy only for the mornings.

Your son hasn't developed his independence yet, don't expect an overnight change. Sit at the table coloring with him, and walk away for a couple minutes, then 5 minutes then more.

Be sure you are spending some good time with him (sometimes we take a quick walk in the morning) every day.

My son also likes to play with my combs & brushes and lining up my nail polish bottles so he can sit nearby.

Answer 3

Tell him it's quiet time and he needs to stay in his room and play. Sometimes too many toys is overwelming, give him 1 or 2. If he's good for like 10 or 15 minutes, then he gets a reward (sticker or something small). Does he play in the bathtub with water and toys alone? Try more messy/artsy things like play dough, finger paints, coloring, etc. Lock him in the high chair and don't be afraid of a mess! Praise him lots for doing anthing on his own, and don't act frustrated when he wants you all the time. That will prbably just make him insecure about your love and want you more.

Good luck!

It's good he's so social.

Answer 4

At that age, they are very active toddlers starting to get very social, that's how they learn new social skill, vocabulary and fun, so that's why usually they don't like to play alone .
What you could do is having some 'play time together' every day, and if that is not enough (like usually happens) try to get him involved in yo daily activities, like a helper with little tasks.
For example, when you are washing your face, tell him to hold the towel and give it to you when you are done. Tell him to give you the clothes (that you previously put on the bed) when you get dressed, or to put the dirty clothes in the hamper. They love to feel involved and helpful.
Be patient, the time will come when he won't even want to have you around! and you will warmly remember this stage.
I hope this help.

Answer 5

Honey ..lol I'm sorry but he is still too young to play by himself . You still have another year before that starts. He will however start watching movies on tv in another few months Finding Nemo has been a God send to me and my son is 28 months old now but he will watch it for most of the movie if I make him a snack. It will giveyou the 30 minute break you need. Good luck
momof4

Answer 6

The more you push him away, the more he'll want to be with you. When my child acts like this I try to spend more time with them. If my child wants to be with me I give her the attention when ever she needs. Some times its hard because I have things to do around the house or like you, brush my teeth, wash my face. At night I usually have my husband entertain her until I'm done. In the morning when I'm alone, I stop what I'm doing and attend to her. She usually is clingy when she is hungry, sleepy, sick, or tired. Once I meet her needs than she goes off by her self. When she wakes up after a nap or in the morning, she likes to be held for about fifteen minutes and then after that she plays on her own. This is true for most infants and toddlers. They like to be cuddled for 15 minutes after they wake up.

Answer 7

Once he turns three he might become more independent, but in the meantime consider if you have enough stimulating toys for him? Age appropriate? If so, I would put him down while you are in sight and just try to ignore the behavior. If you keep acknowledging it, it can turn into a real problem. He might have some separation anxiety so I would try to stay in the same room so he can see you.

Answer 8

Try to envolve him, when you are washing your face give him a baby wipe to wash his face with, I envolve me boyfriends 2 year old in a lot, when he needs that attention I give him something simular if it's to hard for him to "help." And for the people saying get a nintendo... are you nuts! He's two... that will either be 250 dollars down the drain because he broke it, or a really bad habit.

Answer 9

Because he is TWO years old!

If he feels loved by his Mommy and Daddy he will continue to remain attached to you. Trust me, this will eventually come to an end. Enjoy it while you can. There will come a day when he won't want talk to you and you'll be posting a question... "Why won't my 12yr old son play with me?"

Answer 10

He has been conditioned to have constant attention. You need to recondition him to be content to play alone. Try small periods of redirecting him. Try a few minutes at a time and do not give in. In time he will start.