I've just bought a second hand playpen, advertised as used a couple of times.....

[wwydnoreallywwyd]

I looked at it and it's spotless....exactly what I'm looking for, folds flat, two doors, netting top.

I'm a childminder.

I looked it up on the Internet when I got it home, to see if I had got a bargain or been ripped off...

I couldn't find it on any of the parenting websites. But I did find it.......In a petshop!

So Wwyd, let the kids play in it, or not?

I agree, play pens are so useful but really seem to be out of fashion these days - my DS is 12 and used lived in a play pen when he was a baby . But it's yet another thing that many mumsnetters disapprove of.

OP Have you name changed half way through the thread?

I never needed a playpen with my first two. Used to make stupid judgements about them too

Then I had ds2 who was mobile and climbing stairs at 7 months and 2 older children who couldn't be relied upon to close doors or gates. Every time I turned my back for a second he was halfway up the stairs, eating out of the cats bowls, playing with kitty litter, climbing the furniture, etc.

I backtracked pretty quickly and bought a bloody playpen!

OP, personally even if I knew it was a pet one I wouldn't care as long as it was clean and fit for purpose. Our cats used sleep in ours and keep ds2 company which most would say is far worse!

I have seen exactly the same playpen in a catalogue, advertised for babies and puppies respectively on different pages. it was more expensive on pet pages though

We had a playpen that was meant for dogs,given to us by a friend when her puppy grew out of it, was fine. to be honest my older child spent more time in than the baby, once she could crawl he would climb in with his toys to get away from her, used to make her very cross. I wouldn't judge you at all.

As long as it is clean then that is what matters. Although I don't like the idea of the netting over the top much

Our house is really child friendly theres not really anything they can hurt themselves on,but i guess your house isnt like that then a playpen is better than them getting upstairs or climbing out windows!do look a bit too much like cages for me though!

I used the playpen to keep the dog safe from the children.

The only thing that might be worth checking is whether it meets various safety standards that might apply to children but not dogs. (Small parts, finger trapability) otherwise I'm sure it would be absolutely fine.

I used one when I had a crawling baby to do my ironing in...I was in the playpen! It meant I didn't worry about her pulling the cord of the iron or knocking it off the board.
Great too for keeping her safe when I was cooking, or if I went to the bathroom or answered the door.
You do what suits your lifestyle.

Id like a playpen so the baby could sit on the floor without the toddler annoying him or taking his toys, i could also make dinner or nip to the loo knowing he was safe from being prodded. A net on top sounds like an even better idea to stop flying toys