To leave toddler playing in the other room for a bit?

[Frogmarch89]

So 18 month old has a giant playpen full of toys. If somebody is in the room she will only play in it with somebody else, she won't play independently. However if there is nobody else in there she happily plays with her toys and talks to her Teddy bears and dolls.

So sometimes I put her in it, make a cuppa and go in the other room for 20 minutes or so. Both doors are open so I can hear her playing and it is safe in there.

I mentioned doing this to my friend and she says that its not normal to leave a child that young alone. I didn't really think anything of it, it's only now and again and gives me a chance to have a cuppa in peace.

AIBU?

It's not an issue at all.
Ignore your friend and batshit posters on here. Except me, I'm right they're all wrong.

Or out for tapas.

Friend is either a martyr or overly anxious. Ignore it! The situation is 100% fine from how you've described it

As long as none of the toys were a choke hazard (bits coming apart) and the kid is happy

Oh for goodness sake.

I think it would be fine if I'm the playpen and nothing they could put in the mouths etc especially if you can hear them

Most folk put their baby alone in room to sleep / to get t sleep, so I can’t see the difference really. It’s absolutely fine.

As he gained motor skills between about 18mo and 2 my DS started finding new ways to get into mischief that he wasn’t capable of previously.

18 months is a bit young in my book. Atleast when they’re a bit older you can call and ask if they’re okay and they can reply.

Personally I think it's too young and think under threes should be supervised closely, my bar was always "would I be happy with a childcare provider doing it?" If not, then I didn't do it either. So I would be fine with popping them in there whilst you made the tea or nipped to the loo but for me the 20 mins in peace would be too long.

But plenty of parents on here say it's fine and I only had one DC, maybe I would feel differently had I had to juggle more than one.

I know right, take me to jail now I've got 2 cameras😱 1 in bedroom and 1 in living room as mine won't countenance a playpen🤣 he's safe and happy playing and I can keep watch whilst enjoying an actual hot cuppa😁

I'm saying this as a mum of what 1. What would you do if you had another child to see to? You would have to leave your 18 month for 15mins or so at times. It's the next door room not another floor.

Use baby monitor if you're not sure if the toys are safe

The only thing is they like to put things in their mouths, as long as there are no loose buttons, eyes, etc. on her toys, it should be fine.

🤦🏼‍♀️😂

Of course it’s fine.

At 18 months, DC1 would have gone absolutely ape shit if I had dared leave him contained in playpen and probably would have tried to smash the thing to pieces. Maybe your friend has a child like mine and is jealous.

Really suprised at this post and the responses....I've left my DD (just turned two) alone for reasonable periods (not in a playpen) to play as long she is happy to be for her whole life! Our lounge is enclosed with gates stopping her accessing the stairs, downstairs toilet or kitchen.Obviously if she is upset I go to her, and we do still spend lots of time interacting together.It's been if I've got abit of work to catch up on on the laptop/pile of ironing to do etc...still keep an ear out and keep doors open....afew times I've come down in the afternoon as she has gone quiet, and she has fallen asleep on the sofa/floor! 🙈

Why do we have to be glued to children constantly, no offence to my parents but even when I was young I didn't was then with me 24/7

YANBU at all.

I was a lone parent since DC was 10 months old. I wouldn't have been able to shower, tidy up, get a drink or anything else if I hadn't left him on his own sometimes.

So your child/ren consent to everything or you don't do it? Good luck with that when they start school, no-one will have the time/inclination to pander like that!

Lol. Affectionately known as ‘baby jail’ in our house. Also used in garden in summer with a sheet pegged on as a ‘roof’ to ward off the sun.

Just keep an eye that she won't try to climb out the play pen. When she can or tries to you'll have to ditch it.

Surely that's the point of a playpen? DD used to toddle off to her playpen and pull the gate behind her!

She fine to play on her own

If you can hear her or get a camera so can see her as well if need be

As she gets older she will play more on her own and that's fine

Your friend is making a rod for her own back

Why would this not be fine??

She's supervised

Of course it's fine.

Playpens are how generations of mums got their housework finished, took showers and otherwise managed their time & tasks.

A toddler who can self-entertain is far healthier than one who is helicoptered and incapable of being alone.