One year old shuts himself in his room and plays for hours.......?

Question

I usually can't stop myself from peeking in now and then to check on him, make sure he didn't fall or something, but then i end up disturbing him and he gives me this look like,

"excuse me? What exactly do you want?",

and then he walks over pushes me out the door and shuts it again so he can play some more.

He is so very independent and his room is childproofed so there is nothing that he could hurt himself on theoretically at least.

Do any of your kids do this?

Answer 1

Why dont MY baby cousins do that!? I mean trust me, I love them to death. But their constantly pounding on my bedroom door to come out and play xD.

Answer 2

As long as he's still hitting his typical developmental milestones in terms of communication, I wouldn't sweat it.

Answer 3

I asked a child care professional the same question.  She told me that up to 2 years old and maybe up to 3 kids usually keep to themselves.  after that they need more playtime with peers.  My daughter is 4 now and is just getting to want to play with me, her dad, or the kids at church.

Answer 4

my son does this when he is pooping, haha!

Answer 5

I have two kids and none of them have done that I think you should not let him do that for hours or talk to his doctor.But i'm sorry but I do think that is wrong

Answer 6

Well, even a one year old can have an attitude!  For now, I wouldnt worry about it, but you might want to try going in and playing with him once in a while, instead of just peeking in.  

My goddaughter can be like that when she isnt happy with the world.  She is 18 months now, but she's been like that at least since she was one years old.  

We always think she is an 18 year old in a baby's body!

Good luck!  I can tell you and your son are going to have some in depth 'discussions' about what he can and cannot do in the future.   :)

Answer 7

Both of mine have done this and I think it's almost a little bit normal.  They want down time or 'me' time like everyone else does.  Use this time for yourself as I'm sure his naps are getting smaller.

Answer 8

i dont have any kids.and dont care to have any

Answer 9

You still need to watch him.  At 1 - he's not old enough to know what he should and shouldn't be doing.  My main concern would be chocking or electrical shock.

I never let my kids play on their own (outside really) until they were like 5 or so.  Even then I worry about them.

Answer 10

my daughter did the same thing when she was that age- and she still does it! it is almost a luxury that parents get when they have a child like that!

Answer 11

that sounds scary..

Answer 12

my son plays by himself all the time, but I never let play alone for hours without me watching him. he could choke and you wouldn't even know it!all it takes is a few seconds... He is allowed to play in his room with the door open and I can see him from my room or in the living room in his "corner" where all his toys are. I think you should talk to the pedatrician, because really what you are doing as a parent is very unsafe. Sorry, but one year old's are not "independent"!

Answer 13

I was like that, espically after I turned 2 and my mum had another baby (my little sis).  I was always very independant.  When my mum would drop me off at the nursery during church or anything like that, all the other kids would be crying for their moms but I used to push her out of the room saying "ok you go now byebye".  

I think (from what she says now) that she was always a little offended, but both of my younger sisters would scream and cry for her to come back.  Then she realized that she was lucky to have at least one kid who was independant.

Answer 14

My 2 year old loves to play in his room by himself.  He actually asks to go to his room (it's upstairs so I have to open the gates on the stairs so he can go up).  Then, when we get there, he says "Ok, bye!" and pushes me toward the door.  Then he'll play in there for an hour or more before he calls for me to come and get him.  I just check in every 20 minutes or so to ask him if he needs to use the bathroom.

It's fine for kids to have some independent playtime.  Some kids like it more than others.  I think it's just a personality thing.  My son's Dr. said it doesn't mean he won't have any friends or that he'll be socially avoidant later in life.  It just means he really enjoys playing by himself right now.  I have a 6 month old as well, so I really appreciate getting a little break from having to look after both of them.

Answer 15

Good for him!   I'd be excited to see what comes up with him in the upcoming years, as he takes that independent thinking & does more with it.  

My kids don't do that, although they will, sometimes, get lost in their imaginative worlds.  It's fun to watch them when they are there!

Answer 16

My daughter is 2 yrs. old and does that its nice and she will sit in her room and watch a movie also by herself.

Answer 17

Lol.  My daughter doesn't 'push' me out of her room, but she will indeed play by herself for hours.  It's wonderful.

Answer 18

totally normal, just ask sometimes if u can play too, just go along with watever game it is cause he might think u will think its stupid.