I am thinking about putting Aaliyah into a playpen (actually it's a port-a-cot lol, but gonna use it as a playpen) for about an hour a day just to give her some "me" time and allow me to get some stuff done around the house without worrying what she's up to (or in to lol). She's 2 next week (next Wednesday - 7th May). Just wondering how many of you do something like that with a child around her age?
I used a play pen for my little guy when he was just able to sit up and pull himself up to stand, I would put it in a main room such as lounge or dining room so I was always watchin him, I spent a little time with him when I first placed him in the play pen then left him to play on his own for about an hour but always chatting and lettin him know I was still around. As he got older he still learnt to play on the mat with out the playpen around him and now he is 3 and plays incredibly on his own, building blocks and having the biggest imagination, which is fantastic as I can do chores while he occupies himself until I finish.
logan was in a playpen/cornered off section of the lounge from birth to 2 and a half for the majority of inside play and loved having his own space. just keep in mind that because you are starting it so late that it might take a bit to get used to from her end. if you find the porta cot too small a space for her i have the playpen here if you would like to borrow it till we decide to have another one (couple of years off yet) just gotta actually get to meet you. LOLZ!
Absolutely; go to it. My daaughter was 18mo when I started giving her this kind of space. Always in earshot of course. And regularly looking to see that she hadn't found anything darstardly to do. I think it can improve their self-confidence.
i put Alex in a play pen at 4 months. I had a blanket and his toys in it. I kept him in it till he was 20 months. Charlotte was the same but i had a different one (it was on wheels) and she was in it from birth (so she was protected from Alex).. she then went into the other one when she was 4 months. Alex first stood up in his ports cot. they spent most of their time in it a part from cuddles and feeds.
porta cots were my saviour at footy at that age i put them in there to play so i could watch and have some peace.....they loved it they played with there fav. toys and had a sleep loved it.
Now i am ran of my feet at footy my youngest is now 3
I used to put Chloe in the play pen when she was around 12 months just because she was crawling everywhere and it was a bit of a pain getting the housework done so i would put her in there to play with her balls and books and toys . She doesent go in it anymore though she does like to sleep in it though lmao.
None of ours have been play-penable since they were about 18months! Super climbers! We have kiddie safe gates up in our house that give them play areas and the no go areas. Might be the better option for you.
i've just got one for my bub a little while ago. he's crawling and pulling up on furniture now so i needed it for when i have to do washing and dishes in a different room, and for a little bit of me time. if he's happy with his toys it's great, once he gets bored he won't stand to be in there lol. since your bub it 2 she may or may not like being couped up in a portacot for that long :( i know my bub doesn't go for an hour in his playpen. especially if you're a single mum like me, and they're used to you making their needs met. but if she's a happy tyke and likes to play by herself with toys then give it a shot :)
I have used it on occassion, but never made it a regular thing. After typing my blog last night I decided I needed it lol. She doesn't mind it too much as long as she's got plenty to play with. I'm gonna pop the tv on when she's in it too, just for that extra bit of amusement . Thankfully she is one of those children who is happy to go off and play with herself quite alot - she just tends to get under my feet when I've decided to do something lol.
I had Haylee in a play pen from about 10 mths so I can have some me time and get housework done. Haylee used to cry sometimes but as the playpen was in with the TV I used to put the Wiggles or something like that on, she very rarely cried though.
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