Babyproofing Home That Is Still Enjoyable for 3 Year Old Big Brother

Try to find a special place for the 3yr.old to play with toys with small pieces..Just explain to the 3 yr.old that he really needs to "try"and keep small toys put up or in the special place so the baby dosnt get them and choke..Kids understand more then given credit for...I'm the mom of 4,who are now 22,21,14,10...

You can get baby gates, I've seen ones that can be erected to male a large play area. You can place the crawler in there.

My sister had her older son play with those toys that had small parts only in his bedroom. If the younger one was sleeping, then he could have the toys out in the main room. And when the baby woke, he had to put them away.

I am currently expecting #3. I have a 3 and 5 year old. I explain that some of thier toys could hurt the baby. We have a tube that 35mm film comes in, and we check to see if the toy parts fit in the tube. Anything small enough to fit in the tube is too small for the baby. We have a tote system for all the boys toys. The farm is in one tote, The train in another, the blocks in another and so on. We stack them on a shelving unit without the lids(small totes on higher shelves and large ones on the lower). This keeps the toys organized and when they're done they know where to put what. We try to keep the toys picked up, so no one steps on them and hurts thier feet and to practice for when baby comes.
I would suggest getting your son involved in the process. Make him feel like he is incharge of keeping the baby safe from toys that could hurt.
It worked when my 2nd was born, we'll see if it works for the one on the way. God Bless <>< J.

We went through this... and still going through it as the baby is now a toddler and learning how to open doors and get into stuff. Every few months you have re-evaluate what's working and what's not. I figured out that 75% of my son's toys (kids are exactly 3 years apart) are safe for our daughter to play with. The small stuff like legos and transformers stay in the living room. There's a gate in hallway between living room and family room (gate also blocks hallway to the stairs). My son just learned how to open the gate, but he can open the office door to cut through the office to get to living room that way. So his small toys are either in there or his bedroom. The board games are on a bookshelf in family room that daughter can't reach. They are 'table games' only and he knows he can only get 1 at a time and it has to stay on the kitchen table.
When our daughter was a baby (she's 18 months now) our son simply kept all small toys in the basement toyroom because she wasnt' allowed down there by herself. We had to change that a few months ago because now she's old enough to crawl down the stairs by herself (she still can't open the door, though, so it's somewhat controlled) and she likes playing down there with brother for hours on end.
I also discovered that I really lightened up on the small toy thing. She plays with legos all the time and loves them. She's not inclined to put toys in her mouth... even as a very young baby she never put much in her mouth. So I'm not overly worried about it.

-D.

Amber I would explain his to your other son and ask him to please keep his toys to his room the buy you a baby gate to keep the baby in a single area ,I have found over the years a gate is a good thing to have .and if you dont want to that buy a gate to keep the baby just in a safe area instead of keep brother in his room to play ,wishing you the best

I separated their play space. Put a baby gate that your 3 year old can open himself in the bedroom along with your 3 year old's toys. If he wants to play with them, he has to keep them in the bedroom. Put the 9 month old's toys in the livingroom...the 9 month old needs more adult supervision anyway and you'll probably spend more of your time in the livingroom, so it makes sense to have the 9 month old's toys in the livingroom. If the boys share a room and you want to play with the 3 year old with his toys, go to the bedroom to do so. You may have to take the 9 month old with you, but atleast you'll be in there to supervise with toys to make sure he doesn't eat them.

I have a five, three, and one year old so I understand your dilemna. I put small pieces in bins and they play with them on the tables: kitchen, family room coffee table, or their playroom table. I try to allow these things during the baby's nap times to avoid any risks. We also ensure clean-up is done in its entirety. This encourages their responsibility, awareness, and concern for my youngest. For toys that are safe, I just let them know that they have to share. All toys are game for everyone to share and play. Your three year old might get creative and surprise you. They'll offer toys to entice my youngest and run off with what they want. It allows them to work together. Why not give them the opportunity now? It also toughens my youngest to try and fend for her own toys and wants. Hope this helps. Take care, S.

I try to reserve the toys with small pieces for when my youngest is taking her nap. Or...I have my older daughter play with those toys at the dining room table where my yongest can't reach.

They share a room which is limited in space so for us gates and seperate play areas are not feasable. But it would be nice!!! I keep the toys they can both use out in their toy bins and the others stay high up in the closet where neither of them can reach them.

Sometimes...depending on the toy I don't even open it. I have a few stored in the closet for future use. Also...if the pieces aren't depended upon in order to play with the toy I will put them away or toss 'em...depending on what they are.

Hope you find a great solution that works for you!