Ask:
I've had Aidan's playpen set up in the living room for awhile now. He mainly uses it to take a nap, or if I need to corral him for a bit. I took it down for his party on Saturday and wonder if I should even put it back up? We don't live in a big house anyway, so we need all the space we can get, especially with him walking now.
Answer:
Only you can decide. Especially since he's walking, there may be times you want him corralled, but will he let you do it, or scream bloody murder? I NEVER used my playpen with my first, except the bassinet part when he was really little - I just let him roam and always managed to watch him. With dd, though, it's so much more difficult. DS is into Bionicles and no matter how he tries, little pieces get here and there, plus she always manages to find that piece of stray fur or paper and has to taste it. Plus, I'm on the computer more. Therefore, I do find myself using the playpen occasionally. She is starting to protest, though, despite the fact that I have toys she likes that I only give her to play with when she's locked up. This is a little girl that I can't keep in her Intellitainer (like an exersaucer) anymore, as she picks it up with both hands and "walks" it around the living room to get into trouble. I find myself using the high chair, a Baby Einstein video, and snacks when I need her to be still for awhile.
Answer:
If he's ready to take a nap, he's ok. If he knows it's to corral him, he screams bloody murder, which he is VERY good at. Lately, I've been putting him in his crib for his naps because we have a dog who thinks he has to huff and puff at the window every time he hears a cricket fart! Which wakes Aidan up if he's in the living room.
Answer:
I would free your space up! But then again I never used one so maybe I'm wrong. But open space is nice and you could just put him in crib for naps. I let my older two play with the small piece toys when the baby is asleep.
Answer:
I think that's what I've decided to do. He takes naps ok in his crib and if I need to corral him, I can do like desertmom and put him in his highchair, or I could put the baby gate up to his doorway and let him play in his bedroom.
Thanks for helping me out ladies! I knew I could count on you!