Hi all,

My LO is almost 7 months old and cannot play on her own. Someone always has to be with her to entertain her or to switch toys for her (she gets bored very quickly). She has this squeal/scream which she uses to let us know when she isn't happy but will full on scream and cry if we so much as leave her side for a second. We can't even leaving her in her high chair to get her food! Does anyone else's child do this and how can we teach her that it's ok to play on her own?? TIA smile

Hi emmysmum,

I am in the same predicament. Brayden is nearly 8 months old and for a few months, he has not been able to play on his own... and when he does not notice that I have left the room... he will happily play but only for 5-10 min and then he gets bored and starts screaming!!! I have found it frustrating because I get nothing much done... and only do when he is sleeping... he is a catnapper in the daytime so that makes it harder... I find that I get things done when he goes down for his long night sleep so between 7pm until I go to bed!! DH has been home the last week or so but will be going back to work tomorrow so it's going to hit us both hard and Brayden has had attention from not only me but his dad and I have had the extra hand to help out and 'entertain' Brayden!!

Well, I look forward to some suggestions and responses too!

Sorry, can't help but can reassure you that you are not alone!

Take care
Bye for now!

After a feed and rest on my lap (usually reading) I leave DD to have her 'alone time' on the floor, scattering some toys around and often putting a Wiggles DVD on. I find if I distract her with a toy (I rotate them so she doesn't get bored) I can duck away, without her really noticing. I keep an eye on her from behind at a distance although the lounge is blocked off and pretty much DD proof - LOL. I find if I try and leave her on her own as it gets closer to her nap time she cracks it quickly. If she is particularly clingy I might let her have a little 'wobbly' - she soon spots some-thing interesting and 'investigates'. I don't know if this will work with you. I think if you can be a little tough now and make alone time part of the routine, it might make things easier later on - at least that is what I'm hoping. Will let you know in time if it back fires - LOL.

It's separation anxiety. She will grow out of this. She's just at the stage of her development where she understands that she is now not connected to you but a separate being, and this scares her. She's fraid that when you are not in her sight you have disappeared into thin air, never to return!

Play peek-a-boo with her and she will see that if you leave you will come back.

Also try leaving her for a few seconds then come back to show that you are still around. Maybe lengthen the time slowly. She will eventually understand the concept that you won't vanish and that you will return.