How to Amuse Your Toddler While You're Working (1 Idea)

So you're working at your desk, perhaps trying to write or pay bills, but "Jr." is just beginning to walk. What do you do? This is just one of a myriad of possible ideas. It works!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Your child.
• Chapstick or a pen (if you're extremely attentive and it has rounded edges on both ends).
• Hopefully a nearby kitchen with pots and pans.

1. Kitchen Near Work Area If the idea of safety-protecting your cabinets bothers you because you believe, as I do, that it inhibits curiosity in your toddler, arrange your work area near your kitchen.
2. Place your pots and pans and plastic dishware near the front of the cabinets; either "seal off" the ones with glass, place them high, or put the glass items way in the back of the cabinets.
3. Use a simple object and stand it vertically on your desk. I usually use a pen with rounded edges or a marker or a crayon and stick it in a wedge of silly putty. (It helps to have a writing surface on the floor nearyby.) When my son sees it, he thinks it's the coolest thing in the world, and he grabs it. Then I challenge him to place it back where it was. This develops coordination, and I encourage him to watch what I am doing. When he tires of it, he scampers off to the pots and pans in the kitchen. Since the kitchen's virtually next to my desk, I can "spy" on him and make sure everything is a-okay while I write another line or two. Try it!

Tips & Warnings

• You shouldn't try this unless you have eyes in the back of your head. But if you're reading this, you probably do. All parents grow them. It's biological.