At what age can you actually do something (for yourself)

I have basically accepted that my life is to take care of the children at this point in their lives. I basically look after them and do some basic clean up and I take them out daily, but other then that I can't do a thing "for myself". When my DH watches the kids he can often read a bit of the newspaper, but for some reason I can't even read one sentence without someone needing me for one reason or another. And, because when I do try and do something like read while watching the kids I am always interrupted, and that makes me frustrated, so I have resigned myself to the fact that if I dont do anything but look after the kids and basic clean up, then I dont get frustrated, and that is better for everyone.
I am just wondering when this might change, at what age will my kids keep themselves occupied for 20-30min...

 

I had to teach my kids that sometimes Mommy isn't available to entertain you. Go play! lol I started back to school when the twins were two so they learned that unless it was very important, Mommy needed to study/do homework sometimes. They'd come up to me, but I'd remind them that I was doing homework and did they need something. It didn't take too long for them to catch on. So much so that I was able to do other things too. Now it's just habit for them to mostly play on their own.

 

Do you let them watch dvd's or tv? My boys are 25 months and I can pop in an elmo dvd and they will be happy watching it and playing by themselves. That gives me the opportunity to get things done along with a little me time.

 

I do the same :good: My kids will usually watch the DVD or play and I have an opportunity to read or catch up on studying.

 

I would say they got pretty good at it around age 3. They can forget about me for quite a long while nowadays, if they are into something fun or watching a movie.

 

The more you expect them to be able to play by themselves, the more they will be able to. I learned that by default every time I had another baby

 

I started with the "okay, just one minute, play with your ____ until I can get to you". I found that by doing this, and increasing the time I went over to help them when asked, they learned to entertain themselves or wait patiently for me to help with whatever. I won't say that I can sit down and read a book but on (a rare!!) occasion (because there is often too much to do to take time to sit) I can sit and read a magazine for a little bit.

 

I've found that I still can't do anything too involved with my younger two, because I'm breaking up a fight every three minutes. So, I can't get absorbed in a novel or anything....but, I am able to surf on my laptop while they play.

I'm pretty sure I could clean/tidy, too, but you know, I have twins -- they don't let me.

 

My older boys also come in very handy! My 15yr old just saved my plant from certain death by twinado while I was busy cleaning ( aka in my room on TS- LOL)
unfortunately I learn at least once a day that the quieter they are they worse the mess, I always hope that they are in their room playing quietly when really they have moved on to something like my poor plant!

 

This exactly. And I started doing this around 2 1/2.

 

Around 2 1/2 they were doing really well. Pop in a cartoon and read a book or the like. This is one reason I'm addicted to my iphone its handy light weight and i can read or play games on it

 

At about 2.5 my girls started getting better at entertaining themselves, and now at 33 months, they're fantastic at spending 20 or 30 minutes playing with no need for Mom or Dad. Like everyone else, I tried one minute of "no Mom" then a few more, then when they could do that with no issues, I'd leave the room and go do dishes or make my bed. I didn't really push it; if they needed me they could come get me or yell and I'd go help. Just a few months ago they turned a corner on independent play and started making up games together without wanting my assistance. This morning Piper and Cricket spent 30 minutes playing in our spare bedroom pretending to be doctors (lots of giving shots), then later in the day they built train tracks in their bedroom for almost 40 minutes, all the while having conversations about all sorts of stuff. DH and I puttered around the house and checked in on them every few minutes, but they were happy to play without us. It's the longest they've ever played independently; so it was weird and great all at the same time. Hang in there... it will happen for you too.

 

Well, the only time I can get anything done is when the TV is on. Believe me, I know it's bad - but it WORKS!!!
Mine if left alone will fight and scream...unless the TV is on.
I can't WAIT till we grow out of this. If I remember with my older girls, it was around 4 which I can't get to too soon!

 

This is around when it happened around here too. :good: Now there are days where I'm seeking their attention and they don't want to play with me. :laughing:

 

omg, i dread that day! i'm such a sap.

thanks for all the great responses, ladies! i could have asked the q myself so i'm happy to read your replies.