How to get anything done with a crawler/cruiser?

[donkhonk]

I have a 1 yo DS who has thrown himself into the crawling and cruising stage, and just won't be still for a second! He has to be constantly supervised because he will happily chuck himself at/off anything. I'm exhausted.

I'm back at work now so the few days I do have at home, I really need to get stuff done. How do you do it?? It's causing tension between me and DP now.

Good old fashioned play pen.
my eldest was like chasing a piglet- the speed he could crawl at 😱
but he started on his feet by 8 months and walking by 11 months and that meant he slowed down a bit. Mind you then he became an absconder so we had to use reigns then 🤣
I remember it being very hard work and needing eyes in back of you head. So, best way is to, however unkind it is, limit where he can go and when
Trick with the playpen is only put him in about 1 hour before nap times after you’ve had a lot of energetic play before. Let him wear himself out first. Then focus on talking and singing with him and having baby conversations with him while he’s in the play pen. Try to position it where he can see you and watch what you’re doing..move it around when needed. If he is ok with telly on then maybe stick tv on for a short time with a favourite program . Make sure you explain to him that he is going in the pen so mummy can do x and y…explain even if you’re not sure he understands.
make it fun in there…maybe with new toys or move his favourite toys into it so it is a nice place for him to be.

Mine likes to crawl to hang out with me. If I'm in the kitchen he comes over and hangs out at my feet (sometimes clinging to my legs). If I go to the bedroom he follows me in. I pretty much unleash him on the floor with a few toys scattered about, and he goes exploring all over while I keep an eye on location/occupation. The toys usually get ignored - he just wants to crawl. Yes I have to pick him up now and again, but as long as he's not in danger you can both get on with your own stuff. I have blocked off areas he's not allowed - he can still get to parts of it, but it's mostly out of sight out of mind.

It's not a flawless system, but it's lots of fun! And yes, he does need constant supervision.

Playpen. As big as we could fit in the house. It took up half of the living room and I hated the plastic monstrosity but it was well worth it. Kept DC safe (our downstairs is completely open plan) and let me get things done.

Yep playpen, as big as you can fit in your house. He might not tolerate being in it for long periods but at least its a safe place to stick him when you really need to leave him for 20 minutes.

Mine would go mental in a playpen and would just want out.
Can you not just move any hazards from the room and let him crawl around with you?
Thats what I did with DD and it mostly worked fine. She had some freedom to explore which meant she was happy.

Why is it causing tensions? It's fairly standard behaviour, surely it's kind of obvious that wobblers/toddlers need constant supervision?

Put him in a high chair

Do stuff when he's asleep