Dd2 crawling and 3 yo dd1.

[DeathMetalMum]

How do you deal with a craling baby and toddler while at home? Things that dd1 wants to do dd2 is crawling around and pulling it apart things like mega blocks, woden blocks, large floor puzzles, happyland anything she just breaks apart/ pushes over - totally normal for a baby but hard for dd1 to understand. We alredy use dd2's naptime to have one on one time thogh it is usually something craft based that we can't do wile dd2 is awake.

Before she was crawling we could all sit together and play easy enough dd1 and I could build or whatever and d2 would be happy to bash pieces together or just handle the objects. We don't have a playpen or room for one really and I don't think dd2 would be too happy anyway. I have tried to encourage dd1 to play on her room but she will go for 5 minites and then ask for me.

[exexpat]

Can DD1 sit at a high table to play with some things that are not suitable for DD2? I don't think trying to send her to her room to play by herself is a workable solution for a 3yo - she will feel rejected and lonely, they want to be in the same room as you at that age.

I ended up creating a barrier across the living room with a dismantled playpen at that stage to keep DD away from DS's toys (four and a bit year age gap, so by the time she was crawling he was playing with small lego, trains with tiny parts etc).

[PansOnFire]

If you can fit anything that creates a barrier then I think that's a good idea. I know playpen a can seem a bit mean but perhaps use it for your 3yo as a secure place for the things she wants to keep away from the baby. She could build with mega blocks etc in there and if you show her how to open the gate (or keep it pushed to rather than locked) then she is in control of it. Good luck!

[amyboo]

We sit almost 4 yo DS1 up at the dinig table whn he wants DS2 (age 1) to stay away. He does that for stuff like Lego, reading, colouring, playing with his digger and stones... DS2 is then free to wreck whatever he wants on the floor.

[RueDeWakening]

I've resorted to a playpen, a jumperoo, and if necessary sitting ds2 in the high chair at the table while ds1 and I do something. I do make sure that its only for short bursts though. Have also been known to cart the high chair around the house, or bung him in the cot if we're doing something in their bedroom.

And chant "it's only a phase..." a lot

[DeathMetalMum]

Thank you I am trying to encourage dd to sit at the table and colour etc but she always wants me there which means dd2 either crying or trying to climb up my legs (we are having some separation anxiety at the moment).

I may have to resort to putting the travel cot downstairs even though I will take up a lot of space. Dd2 is nearly one also and have a jumperoo type thing but it doesn't have much time before she won't be able to go in there.

Sigh we had just got the the phase where we could sit and play mega blocks together for 30 mins or so. It's just a phase has become my mantra!

[SleepSleepSleepSleep]

I have a 13 month old DD2 and DD1 will be three in a couple of months so in similar position with toy grabbing/unsuitable toys/DD2 messing up DD1s stuff. I have a playpen in the sitting room for DD2 as it is the only way to get a bit of peace sometimes. She likes being in the playpen for short bursts of time. Also DD1 has worked out ways of putting her books and toys out of DD2s reach and is very good and guarding her things!! there are a lot of fights/sharing issues though. This is just the way it has to be with these ages.

[Benzalkonium]

Mine loved a coffee table. The little one used to hold onto it and practice walking on one side, and the big one did her thing on the sofa side.