Toddlers???

Question

Do toddlers need to be actively played with and taken out and stuff all day long?
I mean like spending the whole day playing, drawing, and doing things with them?
The reason I ask is because I admittedly do not do this with my toddler, I take her out somewhere different each day, playgroups, parks etc, and I do play games with her but a lot of the time she sits and plays next to me while I do housework or watch TV. Right now she is eating cheese and cahtting to me while I type this question.Also daddy plays with her when he comes bck from work

My sister on the other hand never does anything apart from play while her kids are awake, every second she is playing and doing things with them. I don't think thats a bad thing its just that I would find it boring.

Should I be playing with her every second or is it ok for me to do other things while she does her own thing?

Can I just add I do not watch TV all day maybe about 1 hour a day I just read my question and realise I sound like a couch potato!

I do do things with her, lots of reading, painting, libraries, picnics, running around games etc but not all the time like my sister.

Answer 1

I think your sister is actually doing her children a disservice. If she plays with them every waking moment, they will never learn to play on their own and entertain themselves. They will come to expect that someone else will be with interacting with them every moment of the day and think of themselves as the center of the universe. That's not just not natural or healthy.

I think the way you are raising your daughter is much healthier. You spend time with her, but you also do your chores and other regular household duties. You let her know that you love her and she's important to you, but she will also realize that the entire world doesn't revolve around her.

With that said, I used to sometimes include my children in some of the household chores. If I was folding laundry, they could help roll socks or fold towels. If I was cooking dinner, I would give them a bowl and a mixing spoon and let them go at it. Spending time with your children doesn't have to be all about playings games, building blocks, etc.

I think you're doing just fine. :)

Answer 2

My son is 3 now and I bought some books/activities from Brighter Vision and some activity books at Walmart for Preschooler that also come with educational games for the computer. He is 3 and can work a mouse and click on the correct answers when the game asks him a question. My husband bought him a Blues Clues game and that is very educational too. They teach numbers, letters, shapes and "what comes next" concepts. I can at least get some housework done and know where he is =)

I will sit down with him for about an hour or so but then he gets bored and wants to move on to a craft, then that gets boring and he wants to move on again. It would be soooo tiring if I had to entertain him every minute of the day. They do need some time to learn to play by themselves and use their own imagination. I also try to keep education shows on when he watched TV. I purchased the BABY CHANNEL for him but he outgrew it by the time he was 2 1/2. He does learn a lot from Blues Clues, Dora and Little Einsteins. The Backyardigans teach imagination and singing.

We are learning about things that are real and pretend now. He got mad the other day because his book didn't work when he jumped on it. He said he couldn't jump in. It was broken...LOL!

Answer 3

Knowing that as a baby some people have different view and opinions on how to make them grow up, and so do people on toddlers. this seems to also continue throughout the average life of a person.
Some people say that if u rip away right away and stay a certain amount of distance then the baby or toddler will be fine, some say that you should stay with the child 24/7. but in both cases there seems to be something to go wrong, so i say that what you are doing is a mix of the 2, But you should work on at least doing activities that involve mental growth as well as physical Growth.
So in the long run, no don't be there 24/7 but also don't smuther them.

Answer 4

At the end of the day you know what is right for your child and if you spend enpugh time stimulating her.

I have a 2.5 year old and a 14 month and it would be impossible for me to spend every minute of everyday playing with them. I was pleased that i didn't when my second was born as that would have been an absolute nightmare!

My eldest is a very well balanced, independant child and she enjoys playing on her own as well as with me and her younger sister.

I think it is all about balance!!!

If you feel bad about taking time out to do housework what about putting her in a creche for a couple of hours a week?

Answer 5

Sounds like your doing everything fine. Most people find it isn't pratcial to spend ever waking hour entertaining a toddler and its good for them to realise that there is life and things needing done outsied their little worlds.

I play with my son throughout the day, I also get on with the housework, cooking and get a sit down too! I take him out in the morning to various groups etc, then home for a nap, lunch then usually play in the afternoon for a couple of hours until tea time when daddy is home.

You've got to get a balance and it sounds like you have!

Answer 6

Its absolutely fine that she has some time to play on her own too its all part of learning and we do also need to get things done too and I'm sure many people are not in a situation where they can spend the whole day playing, you sound like you already do lots of things with your child which is great its nice to be able to spend time doing things together, with my kids I will do messy things with them like paint or plant seeds or bake, then we will have times where we play a game or read but then there is mummy time to where I will either do housework, come on here, chat with a friend. Sounds to me like you do a fine job

Answer 7

What you're doing is fine. I would end up in the nuthouse if I didn't let my toddler do his own thing every now and then. Independent play and exploration is just as important for a healthy baby. At least you have the chance to do housework, mine is so mischevious and curious that I can't do much around the house till he goes to sleep. You do what is right for you as a parent, and don't worry about what others are doing, b/c you will go nuts.

Answer 8

my goodness, no. If you did that with your child all day long, you wouldn't get anything done, and lose your sanity in the process. It gives them wonderful independance to play on their own. Get a gate to put up across the door of your baby-safe nursury, and encourage them to entertain themself for about an hour at a time. They also take a nap during the day. There is a time for playing with them, reading to them, and hugging them, but the time is not ALL the time. Keep being a great mother, and give your kiddos the gift of independance. They will be better behaved too.

Answer 9

Oh, the woes of parenthood! Chill, mom! Sounds like either you volunteered to be her entertainment committee or she's got you trained quite well! Give her some play dishes, a dolly, a few different choices of bite-size food, and leave her to her imagination.

If you entertain her most of her waking hours, she'll be demanding your constant attention on down the road, which could be quite wearisome. Peace out! from "CaliModel" -mother of 5 (6 to 28) & grandma-ma of 1

Answer 10

Of course what you are doing is ok. You child needs to know that they can be independent . You can't play with your child all day long then do your housework all evening. you are fine - your sister might have a bit of trouble when it comes to her kids going to school if they are used to her being with them like that all of the time