Playtime for 10 month olds

So my girls have started playing together quite well. I get on the floor with them frequently but sometimes I don't (even though I am always watching.) I also can get more done now. Anyone have opinions or experiences on how you handled playtime as far as how involved you were? I can actually get dishes washed, meals prepped, etc. There is a danger in that however, because I just want to get more and more done. Many times I stop and say, "okay, time to play with my girls" which of course they love and we sing rhymes, read books, stack blocks, etc. Is there a healthy mix of teaching playing independently of mommy or do you think I need to be down there with them all the time at this age? What did you do? I am the person who deals with guilt and worry a lot and I talk myself down all the time, so I really appreciate any input and your honest opinions. thanks

 

What you are doing sounds about right. I play with the girls some of the day but a lot of the time I let them play with each other. If you are always playing with them then they won't learn how to play on their own and that's pretty important if you want to be able to get things done! I can actually take a shower now while they are awake. That was a big accomplishment!

 

DH and I were talking about this the other day. I have the same feelings of guilt, etc., but when I do get down to play with them, I feel more like I'm in the way. I know they want me down there with them, but they do more playing on their own. Usually I'll let them play by themselves when I have things I need to get done, then I'll stop for a while and play, sing, read, then let them go.

 

I would go by the their cue, if they were playing nice together, I would let them be and when I was done my little chores around the house, I would play with them for a bit. If they seemed like they wanted my involvement, then I jumped in there.

 

This is how I do it, too. If they're well rested and well fed, they're pretty good at entertaining themselves and each other. When they get fussy or crawl over to the gate (to the kitchen, where I usually am), I'll go and read or build blocks or something to diffuse their fussiness.