Demanding 3/4 year old!
Anyone else’s almost 4 year old just Refuse to play on their own???!! My daughter has an amazing imagination but she absolutely will not play lately unless I am being some character she wants me to be or unless I am “watching” her. I am getting so frustrated. She used to be SOOOOO good at playing on her own and have decent size chunks of time where she would draw on her own or use her imagination with her toys. But it’s like she just stopped doing that and now she won’t even try. It’s making me so frustrated and burned out. I hate constantly telling her, “Mommas not playing right now.” Or “you are playing independently right now, please go use your imagination with your toys.” I honestly don’t know what else to do and just need to know I’m not alone and that this is hopefully just a phase?
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Natural stage of development the “watch me phase”. This too shall pass but try to come up with activities for her, like an invention box. Or a letter search around the house. Then you can “grade her” periodically (even set a timer or a goal like every 10 letters found), but the activity is mostly independent after she learns it initially. Also think about decluttering toys. (Less is more sometimes with the right toys) have her give a show for her teddy bear audience in place of you. Have her help you with chores and cooking. It doesnt all have to be about her type of play. It can be your type of play/work too. https://youtu.be/ygcCLpJgSjA?si=kbo3hb4uecHyaZeJ
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We’ve been experiencing this, though I recognize that mine is seeking connection from me. I’ve switched things up from ‘imaginary play’ and ‘independent play’ to getting her into independent crafts / learning skills. So I can still engage, but get things done as well. I check in to see how it’s coming, and answer questions when needed. This is usually 1-2 hours a day. Not combined, but she does do about four 30 minute activities a day without begging for that attention. When she’s completed whatever I’ve given her, we go over it and I connect with her on it. It’s giving her the power of WANTING independence and everyday wakes up and can’t wait to see the days craft! These could be premade, or I take the time to put them together after bedtime with my husband. We put on our show, but we also put in the effort to get creative FOR her, together. We have 3 under 4 so keeping them engaged and entertained while tending to the baby is a must here. You got this Mama, she just loves you!