Is it ok to leave a toddler alone?

Feelfreetocallme · 2022-07-28T16:02:05+00:00

In the living room for say 20 minutes while I put the hoover round? Other thread got me wondering if this is ok or not. She’s my first so I’ve just been winging it.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 28/07/2022 17:02

Yes of course.

Topgub · 28/07/2022 17:03

Yes

MajorCarolDanvers · 28/07/2022 17:03

That is not alone. That is being in a different room in the house. Yes its fine.

TeddyBeans · 28/07/2022 17:04

Of course it is. You're in the house, if she needs you she can find you, you can pop in to check on her every few minutes. You're allowed to close the door when you poop too!

Classicblunder · 28/07/2022 17:05

It depends on how child proofed your living room is and what your toddler is like.

StillMedusa · 28/07/2022 17:06

Personally I wouldn't! I care for my 15m old grandson and wouldn't dare leave him unnattended. We have a fairly open plan downstairs and cupboard locks on all the kitchen units but he can climb, like to investigate anything. Unless you have a very very empty safe house.. you can give yourself an electric shock if you put a phone charger cable in your mouth if it's in the wall... (don't ask me how I know ) Toddlers are SO good at finding danger!
If I even go to the loo, he comes with me!

arethereanyleftatall · 28/07/2022 17:06

What would you normally do if you have a shower/have a poo/cook dinner in the kitchen/attend another child etc?
Yes, in answer, it's completely normal to be in a different room in your house to a toddler.

Sirzy · 28/07/2022 17:07

I would do the jobs but I wouldn’t leave her for 20 minutes I would be checking in briefly along the way. Mainly because a toddler can cause a lot of chaos in 20 minutes especially when you can’t hear them!

HauntingScream · 28/07/2022 17:07

It depends on the child. I could leave Ds watching his favourite tv programme, but Dd couldn't be left alone as she would climb up the book shelves.

Original poster

Feelfreetocallme · 28/07/2022 17:07

arethereanyleftatall · 28/07/2022 17:06

What would you normally do if you have a shower/have a poo/cook dinner in the kitchen/attend another child etc?
Yes, in answer, it's completely normal to be in a different room in your house to a toddler.

Wait until DH can watch her or take her with me. Lol. I think I need to relax abit.

OP posts:

CharlotteOH · 28/07/2022 17:07

Totally depends on the room and the child. Also what do you mean by a toddler? A one year old shouldn’t be alone in a room for twenty minutes unless they’re in a cot / playpen. A 3 yr old (with a suitable activity they love) would probably be fine but still in twenty minutes I’d have popped back to glance at them several times.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 28/07/2022 17:09

I mean, how old is she? Eighteen months or 2.5 years old?

Classicblunder · 28/07/2022 17:09

arethereanyleftatall · 28/07/2022 17:06

What would you normally do if you have a shower/have a poo/cook dinner in the kitchen/attend another child etc?
Yes, in answer, it's completely normal to be in a different room in your house to a toddler.

My DH and I take it in turns to shower in the morning.

It doesn't take me 20 mins to poo as I am not a man

I would cook dinner/similar chores with him in sight/same room

It's easier than dealing with the aftermath of leaving him to his own devices. He is happy to entertain himself but a climber and very naughty

Babdoc · 28/07/2022 17:11

Hmm. Mostly yes, unless your toddlers decide to ‘make a cake’ on the carpet, with flour, marge and cocoa powder, then panic and try to clean it up with a brush…
Mine did that when I fell asleep exhausted on the sofa for 15 minutes.

arethereanyleftatall · 28/07/2022 17:11

Just imagine if you're a single parent or/and also have a new born. You would have to get used to leaving them to do stuff.

CantaloupeMelon · 28/07/2022 17:12

Yes, that's fine.

Chdjdn · 28/07/2022 17:13

20 minutes with checks in is fine in theory but neither of mine would have let me be out the room for so long and you do need to check on them in that time

yikesanotherbooboo · 28/07/2022 17:14

Two of mine wouldn't leave me alone in a room for 20 minutes so it didn't apply. Middle DC was a handful and v hard to leave even for a pee,Wiggles on tv for him to dance to was my only hope.

Aquamarine1029 · 28/07/2022 17:14

I think it's a concern that you couldn't hear them over the hoover, so I personally wouldn't leave them for 20 minutes without checking on them.

Imissprosecco · 28/07/2022 17:16

Depends on the toddler and how childproof your downstairs is. I can leave my 2.9 year old downstairs while i get dressed/go upstairs to get something/sort the baby out. He's not particularly into climbing and just plays with his toys. I have a gate on the kitchen door so he can't get in there. I don't think I could have done was he was 18 months though. If you do then make sure the front door is locked! You don't want any escape attempts!

GoAround · 28/07/2022 17:20

I don’t watch mine every second but I wouldn’t hoover because you can’t hear them. Nor would I go 20 minutes without checking in. Other room doing bits, within earshot and poking my head round the door every 5 mins or so is fine and I do that a fair bit! This is presuming you mean 2 or under though, if you have a 3 year old then it’s a complete non issue as I’d trust them not to do anything too daft and they would come find me if they wanted something.

Wilkolampshade · 28/07/2022 17:21

At that age my 2nd used to pootle off on her own elsewhere quite happily absorbed in something or other- I just used to stick my head in and check she hadn't set fire to the dog or got stuck in the hoover every now and then......

BeanieTeen · 28/07/2022 17:25

I would probably pause every couple of minutes to check on her, not just leave her to her own devices for 20 minutes.
You must have a big house - 20 minutes to run the hoover around??

Sux2buthen · 28/07/2022 17:25

You'll probably find they'll follow you anyway
(Side eyeing my three year old that thinks we are one person)
If I'm in the bathroom her fingers are under the door
Mummy can you see me mummy what you doing'
Mummy I come with you
Mummy
Mummy
Mummy
Mummy

BurningBenches · 28/07/2022 17:30

Depends what age we are talking. I can leave nearly 3yo DS watching TV on the sofa or playing for 20mins. 13m old DD4, no way. She climbs everything, puts everything in her mouth.

I can leave her for 30 seconds to wee but shower/poo I put her in the travel cot.

This is why I get very little done!