My 4 Year-old Will Not Play Without Me!!

My son who is the same age can be the same way. It is very frustrating! I tell him sometimes that I will play with him after I do a chore such as folding laundry or I'll start playing with him and tell him I'll be right back. I do what I have to do and come back. Also, when he asks me to play I'll say I will play with you after I finish such-and-such or there are times I come right out and tell him I have to do something and he needs to play on his own. If you can, try to get her out to interact with other children. I know it must be difficult with a 15 month-old. Also, preschool will definitely help if you can send her.

She can insist all she wants but it's up to you, you are the mom! You don't have to give in and put the tv on! She will eventually give up and find something else to do if you do not give in to her fit.
You better start standing up for yourself now mom, it does not make you selfish or neglectful or mean, it is teaching your daughter some independence, some patience, now is the time to start. Good luck!

You may have to endure a fit for a while, I'm afraid! I would start out by picking one thing you have to do, like fold laundry or something, and tell her that if she can play quietly while you fold laundry, you will play with her after you've folded it and put it away. Then go play with her. At first, you'll probably have to pick short amounts of time, but hopefully you can lengthen it after a while. If she doesn't do it and just has a fit, let her. Fold your laundry, don't acknowledge the tantrum, and finish what you said you needed to do. After that I would tell her, gee I guess I can't play with you b/c you didn't play queitly while I was working. Then I'd give her maybe like 2-4 minutes that she has to be quiet and then go play with her. It sounds kind of harsh, but I do feel you. You have to be able to get some stuff done and she has to learn the skill of entertaining herself.

The "independent" stuff is still a way off. I agree-get her into a preschool!

Or do the "engage & go" technique where you start off, get her involved in something, then say--"oops, time to get the laundry" go do what you have to and check in 10-15 min later & repeat. Supernanny technique.

Let her pitch her fit. You don't have to give in to her TV demands. In fact, put the TV in the basement for a few days to remove the temptation. Stay firm in the face of her frustration and she will move on to playing alone. Keep giving in, and you might go a little crazy.

I had the same problem and still do at times with my almost three yo. Then I took her to work one day where there are tons of toys and told her she had to play by herself if she wanted to come with me. AND SHE DID... So I'm thinking, not that you want to use toys as an option, but find something she likes and start with it as a play on your own toy... and build from there. I also agree that you need to stop giving in, which everyone does from time to time, but you don't want a school aged kid with this type of problem. She may need to cry it out with you for a week or more. Hang in there and be a strong parent. Good luck! You're not alone!

If you haven't already done so, sign her up for preschool, arrange for some play dates, invite a friend over. If you have things like this scheduled 2 or 3 mornings each week, she will probably want to plat by herself. My 5 year old is hanging in there pretty well, but Tuesday (first day of school) can't come fast enough.

Don't let tv be the alternative. Have a "no tv" policy in the house. Then maybe, she'll be forced to find another alternative to playing with you.