When to let toddlers play independently in room/upstairs

[Mamofboys5972]

Just as the title says really. Recently had DS2 and DS1 just turned 2. Very independent, laid back little lad, capable of going up and down the stairs himself, he can close a safety gate but cannot open one.
I know not one size fits all, so this isn't really an age question, more when do you know they are ready? I'm spending a lot of time breastfeeding and changing a million nappies at the moment and DS1 just wants to do his own thing. We let him play independently in the garden currently, flat grass all fenced in. But I've been reluctant to let him go upstairs and play! He always wants to be up there. What age did you let your toddlers ? How did you know they would be okay? As ridiculous as that sounds! We have a gate on his room so I can lock him in, but that restricts his movements round the house so a little hesitant. Would yous keep closing the gate or let him free roam?

As soon as I knew they could get up and down the stairs safely which was at about 18 months for my DS.

I'd let him play away, OP.

Does he still put things in his mouth? That would be my main concern.

No but he's a climber! Probably should have put that in the main post 🤦🏻‍♀️ he's like tarzan, we've found him on top of his wardrobe before! He is a very safe climber, great at getting up and down, but it's still scary. I've rearranged furniture a bunch of times to limit his access but he still manages.

Is all furniture fixed to wall if he is a climber?

No 🤦🏻‍♀️ we're moving in 2 weeks so I will be fixing it up once we move ! Think the independent play will have to wait till we move

Maybe you go upstairs too? If ges a climber I wouldn't leave him unattended yet, maybe when he's 3.

Does the gate stop him from going down the stairs? I know you say he can manage stairs but I’d worry he might try something like carrying big toys down them and lose his balance.

Then absolutely wait. Go and breastfeed in his room so he can play

Would be a no from me unless fixed furniture to walls

Agreed with everyone, I was worrying so much about the stairs, I hadn't considered the climbing issue. I'll join him in his room for now !

@SBHonhe walks up them and closes the gate behind himself so he can't get back down ! But yes he does try and carry big toys up with him. But to bring them down unfortunately he just throws them down the stairs 🙈

I had one kid who liked exploring the contents of the fridge when my back was turned and another who liked water so would run the taps when I wasn’t watching.

I was going to suggest using the baby monitor but that doesn’t help the climbing issue.

I wouldn’t. When I did briefly, she treated the cat for eczema with plenty of cream and another time she hooked fish out of the fish tank with a sieve. It so tricky when you’re breastfeeding, though!

My niece did this! She was putting the fish in her pockets and they were all dying 😬
Yeah I'm struggling, had a section this time too so mobility has been so difficult, especially with a boisterous 2 year old. Hoping now I'm getting about more it won't be such a pain walking up and down the stairs a million times ha

I can speak through my monitor and he is really good at listening to instructions when I tell him through it, I think that's my one saving grace in all of this !