Take Care of Your Little Daredevil
Childhood is a time of conflicting goals: on the one hand, these young children want to see, do and climb; on the other hand, parents want these children to survive.
Because babies develop agility and curiosity long before their listening skills or common sense, we parents need to develop some coping strategies. As someone who has gone through this stage with my 2 year old, I have collected some tips from real moms and dads. Here’s how you can keep your daredevil kids safe and entertained while completing random adult tasks at the same time.
First, keep the little daredevils safe
There are times during her 12 waking hours when my baby is totally focused on my attention, and let’s be honest, there are times when she only gets a piece of the pie. These tricks give me 15 to 30 minutes to focus on a phone call, shower, or an online personality test.
Take a fresh look at your space. Where can your newly mobile child have a safe, restricted exploration space? When I discovered the very wide security gate that covered the one and a half meter arch between our living room and kitchen, it was a revelation that only allowed me to observe one room at a time. Or how about a giant play handle ? The one I used covered up most of the free space in our living room, preventing my girls from climbing on furniture or pulling down the curtains. (If you’re not a fan of the circus color scheme, it also comes in beige.) Is your yard fenced in? Many homeworking parents allow their children to explore nature while they sit in the shade with their laptop. (The backyard is also a great place to spend your early days of potty training!)
Depending on your child’s temperament, other containment options may help:
- Baby wearing. If your child is used to being carried, why not continue as long as it fits in your carry bag? Perhaps this is the only way to make him take a nap on some days.
- High chairs are not only suitable for snacks and meals. Set your child up with art supplies, toys, or bricks.
- As far as I could, I carried a large, comfortable stroller with me everywhere. A pleasant walk is good for everyone, but the stroller also allowed us to enjoy our lunch more or stay on the sunny patio of the cafe. With a snack and a few toys on hand, a stroller can buy you a few minutes of silence.
- Baby belt. You know, a small backpack with a leash attached to it? Listen, I have a runner. I would like to spend time in the world with her, without waiting for her to really “understand” how dangerous it is to run away from mom.
Second, redirect their energy
From a developmental perspective , toddlers crave novelty and routine . For example, during the day my daughter is expecting some kind of sensory game. This is great for me because it will take quite a long time. I keep it new by replacing components. Our sensory basket is filled with paper grass, beans, pasta, cotton balls, and kinetic sand. Sometimes she plays with scoops and spoons, sometimes trucks and dinosaurs. Many household items can keep your little one entertained while you do your own thing nearby.
When I work from home, I like to make it clear to my daughters that I need time to focus on something other than them. They learn that a mom’s professional fulfillment is also important and develop skills such as patience and independence. Helps provide them with a cozy space next to me where they can read, solve puzzles, or watch videos. There are many ways to make a special nest – a tent, nook, windowsill or soft high chair will do.
Your child may need to burn off some energy before he calms down and goes into silence. Try these ideas for more active entertainment:
- Scatter “water lilies” around the room for frogs to jump on them.
- Give her igrushku- fidget in full growth, such as the Bilibo .
- Create an obstacle course with pillows to develop balance and improve motor skills.
- If it bounces off walls and furniture, why not redirect it to a toddler trampoline ?
- Throw a dance party!
Learn the boundaries
Parking lots can be one of the most nerve-wracking places for parents with fearless young children. Several moms told me that they have rules for fighting with several kids when they get out of the car. For example, teach children to always hold their guardian’s hands, hold one hand on the driver’s side of a car, or hold a shopping cart or stroller with one hand. Try attaching a fun lanyard, ring, or toy to a belt loop or shopping trolley for your child to grab onto.
You can also use visual cues to teach your child about what is prohibited. “A friend of mine wrapped masking tape around areas of the house that her little one could not step on, such as a stove,” said Offspring editor Michelle Wu. “In the end, he learned not to cross the line.”
Even with the most careful protection from children, children are crafty, and adults are forgetful. Use Mr. Yuke’s stickers and other poison control resources to mark unsafe substances and places in your home. Explain to children the safety of poisoning early and often, and teach them to ask you before they eat or drink anything. Poison Control has even developed educational materials only for toddlers and preschoolers .
Almost every toddler will check boundaries, throw tantrums and climb walls without fear of falling. This dangerous age is just a stage, and despite our own fear for their safety, we love them for their fearlessness.