- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
twirlerbride
member
Toddler Proofing: Need Ideas Please!
twirlerbride
member
My husband watches DD and works from home. He is getting very frustrated because DD is making it very difficult for him to get any work done. She is just doing normal toddler stuff, but looking for ideas.
While he is working, she is allowed to go between the office he is in and her bedroom and the hallway connecting them. She is pretty good about keeping herself entertained sometimes, but other times she isn't. She likes to pull everything out of the drawers and get into everything that she isn't supposed to (like any toddler right?).
We are going to get the locks for all the drawers so that she can no longer destroy the drawers. We are also getting locks for the closet door in the office so we can lock up stuff she shouldn't be getting into.
One of the things we have in the office is a set of the rolling plastic drawers. Any idea on how to lock those drawers?
Also can anyone help give some ideas to keep her entertained? She has a lot of toys and books.
Thanks!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Toddler Proofing: Need Ideas Please!
Not to sound too snarky, but this is your problem. Taking care of a young child is a job, and you cant do both effectively at once. I agree with pp's to look into at least part time care for your DD. One of two things suffers in this situation, either your husbands work, or your DD.
I work from home several days a week sometimes, sometimes not at all, but when I do DS goes to daycare. I usually pick him up a couple hours early if I get what work done that i need to.
If there is a university around you, you might look into posting something on a bulletin board there. You can also try contacting soroities and see if any of those girls are interested. I know I was always looking for a way to make a little $ when I was in undergrad and law school. Good luck!
Unfortunately daycare is not an option for us. We just can't afford it. DH started his own business and that is why he works from home. His Aunt and Mom had been coming over (one in the morning, and one in the afternoon) to help him out, but they have their own lives and we don't want to have to keep asking them. He is trying to do things on his own, and it just isn't working because as you stated and we know, it is two jobs. Throw in the fact that DD is not a good sleeper and it makes things even more difficult.
We are working with her trying to get her to go down regularly for a nap in the morning and one in the afternoon and that does help give DH some time were he can really focus on his work. However, there are days were she just refuses to nap.
Once summertime is here, we will have more help available because my mom is a teacher and will be off and willing to come over to help out. We just need some help until then. We don't have a university really close, but there are a couple not too far away.
On the issue of naps, I would highly recommend "The Sleep Lady, Good Night, Sleep Tight." It's really helped us with both bedtime and naps.
Do you have somewhere you can put one of those large play yards made out of gates, for lack of a better description. If so, your LO may be ok playing in one of those for a little while. You can get expanders so essentially you could gate off a fairly large safe space for your DD to play in while your DH works. What kind of job does he have? Could some of the work be done when you are home or on the weekends? Your DD is almost 18 months old getting her to take two naps is going to be hard considering most kids start going to one by that age. Another option, is to ask around about a high school student. Most schools let out around 3 and that could give your husband a few hours to focus on work. In reality he is not going to get 8 hours without help your DD is at an age where she needs interaction and attention. The older she gets the harder it is going to be.