So - DH and I want to start working w our girls on independent play. They are both in daycare full time during the week as we both WOH. Weeknights are non stop.

However, on the weekends we struggle to get the girls to play quietly either together or by themselves. They seem to always need us or more often fight over our attention.

DD1 - 4 years
DD2 - 20 months

DD1 will go play in her room if instructed to do so. DD2 is still a bit young and we have rough stairs...so I think I would maybe babygate her in her room. Or perhaps in DD1's room if they want to play together.

Who does this? Does it work? How long do you ask them to play quietly for? (obviously if its the two together it wont be quiet)

Just looking for any general ideas on how this has worked for you. I'm thinking for me it would be good to do it right before lunch - it would give me a break to cook and it would get them to start winding down before nap time. (yes my 4 yo still naps - we are holding on to it for dear life!!!!!)