This kid is driving me NUTS!

We went through a phase like that. It is SOOOOO annoying. Although I did feel special to be so wanted.

I tried inviting a few little friends around. And I would also tell Ethan I was off to the loo. I started by small times away from him, and gradually increased it over time. He still does like it when I play with him, but he can play independantly(sp) now.

I guess it is just looking at it from a different angle. He loves you so much he wants you around all the time..

I usually do the play and walk away thing, so will instead of doing it for them, get them to do it at the same time. Sometimes, they just like the way mummy does things so much better, their playdough is flatter, the picture is neat, where they might have trouble working the roller to get it as flat as they need, or still be mastering using felts or crayons or whatever. Try turning it around, if you do something for him, he has to do something for you. If you draw him a picture, he must do one for you, so he is still doing something, not just sitting back and watching you play. It could be his way of competeing for attention with his little sis. and with kids that age, any attention, even if it is a crazy mummy who just wants to be left alone for 5 mins, telling him to please leave her alone.. it's still attention.

I set the girls up, play for 5 mins or so, and if they haven't decided what they are going to draw/do/make, by the end of then i can give them some ideas or some incentives for when i come back and check in 5 mins or so, or say "mum's just going to the loo, or mums just going to get a cuppa, and i'll come and sit and watch you make that... for me" he still knows he's got the attention, but you aren't necessarily down there with him constantly.

Another thought: We got Ethan playing on the Computer with us when he was nearly 3. Some sites to try: www.nickjr.com   - Has Blues. Clues, Dora, Diego on it. Ethan loves this one.
www.thomasandfriends.com - who doesn't love Thomas the tank engine!
www.bobthebuilder.com

Good Luck!

Hehe! Lu, I soooo hear you on the toilet banging thing huh! It is ridiculous, when Andy gets home i go to the toilet and LOVE that I can shut the door and lock it and have peace for five minutes!

Thank you all for your suggestions! Nice to know I am not the only one!

Bee, it is nice that he is loving playing with me. Give it ten years and he won't even want to acknowledge me I guess! I'll try those computer games! (but then how will i loiter around here?!)

Argh! Lil babe crying and the big babe is yelling at ,e ("Muuuuuuummmm, quinny get up??") Will be back!

Only ONE of yours is driving you nuts? I think mine have learnt how to tag team!!!! I quite like your idea Janine. In terms of cleaning, Andrew has a toy vacuum cleaner that he uses to follow me around when I'm cleaning - and I give him a rag to do dusting. At the moment he thinks it's a fun game where gets to do like I do...little does he know that in seven years this will actually be part of his regular chores time...