19. The Magic of Independent Play: 4 Steps to Getting Your Child to Play Alone (& Why You Should!)

How many times a day do you hear: “Mommy, come play with me!”? You might be in the middle of putting the dishes away or working or just (finally!) having a moment to yourself … and then this request pulls at your heartstrings – and you either say yes begrudgingly or say no with heaps of guilt. But what if I told you that there was another option?

In this week’s episode, I talk about why it’s actually really important & healthy for children to play alone – and I share tips to help you encourage more independent play from your child. I also talk about why it’s okay and actually a good thing to say no to your child’s requests to play when you’re not available or not really feeling it.

Here’s the thing: Children get the most out of play when they can fully enter their world of imagination – uninterrupted & without adult influence – and parents need time to do life, run the household, and care for themselves. This episode will show you exactly how to encourage more independent play so that everyone’s needs are met in the most developmentally-appropriate way possible!