No More "Putting" Child to Bed

Dear parent,

Enjoy the evening with your child. It is nice to be together as a family when your husband is at home. The modern child does not get much time with both parents. Instead of using sleep as a “baby sitter,” hire a real baby sitter, or ask grandma to come and help on the weekend, evenings, or whenever is most suitable for you and for your child.

I am glad you are responsive to your child’s need. However, it may be the nature of what you are doing with him that makes him needy of constant company. Being with a child is not the same as “entertainment.” If you “entertain” him, he becomes dependent because he cannot have the same experience by himself. When you play with him, make sure to do things that he can also do by himself. 

However, an only child who is very social is not often interested in playing by himself. How much would you be by yourself, when two other people you love are in the same house? I assume you have read my answer on this subject here: http://mothering.com/3-year-old-wont-play-herself. Consider providing him the company of an older child to play with and, mostly, enjoy your evenings with your child.

Warmly, http://authenticparent.com/index.html