

Most 1-year-olds want to be with adults most of their waking hours, especially the ones they're most attached to. What's more, very few are able to play on their own for more than about five minutes at a time. Even the best 1-year-old games — like leading a pull-toy around on a string — quickly get frustrating because the toy tips over or the string tangles. A child this age isn't physically capable of keeping playthings organized, and his attention span is quite short too.

This means that 1-year-olds are pretty demanding company, but they can't be made less demanding by refusing to respond or isolating them in a play yard. If you're with your child most of the day, you may want to dilute your time together with plenty of stroller trips outside and with the company of other parents and kids. When you're home, though, you'll both have a better time if you look for ways to enjoy giving your young toddler your companionship rather than trying to ration it.

If your child could have her way, she'd have all of your attention all to herself all the time. She can't have that, of course, because you've got other things and people to take care of — but that doesn't mean she has to be completely cut off from you while you attend to these tasks. Confining her in a play yard and then leaving the room or turning your attention elsewhere is almost certain to produce cries of lonely misery and yells of outrage.

Instead, try taking him with you. If you slow your pace, he can even "help" you make the bed or prepare dinner. It'll take three times as long — but does that really matter as long as your task eventually gets done and you both have a good time? Of course, your child can't "help" you make phone calls, answer email, or read a book. Those snatches of private space are easier to find when he's napping. But like most parents, you'll probably find that with practice you get so good at doing two things at once that if you have your little one nearby — perhaps in a highchair or stroller for safety — you can retrieve the toys he drops and keep him happy with funny faces even while you're talking to someone on the phone.

Accepting and even being flattered by your child's passion for you is the key. If you're trying to get the dishes put away and she keeps clinging to your leg and begging to be picked up, pushing her away will make her cling even more tightly, and escaping into another room will make her howl. What will make her stop clinging (at least for a moment) is to take a break, get down on the floor, and take her into your lap for a hug. In 10 seconds she'll be struggling to get away, and you'll probably be finished with the dishes by the time she needs to touch base with you again.
Show sources




advertisement | page continues below
Log in to continue

Get the BabyCenter app
The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth.
BabyCenter app