How to Keep a 1 Year Old in His Room

Updated on February 03, 2010
G.R. asks from Arlington, TX
9 answers

ok my twins 1 year old don't want to stay in the room they manage how to get out what did you do to keep them entretain while i clean the apartment.?

i live in an apartment and i can see while i am at the kitchen

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

They're too little to play alone in their room. Keep them near where you are working. Yes, it's a pain, but the best scenario. Get them busy with something then go do a chore, repeat.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.D.

answers from Richmond on

i have a allmost two year old....he plays in his room by hisself, i have a tv with video cass. that plays barney( i was sick of him only wanted to watch barney on our family tv) i have his toys out and therre is nothing he can get into that would harm him....sometimes he doesnt stay in there though but i try to get new toys out!!! hope it helps...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

First, I would not try to keep them in their room. It could be dangerous! I would use pack n plays or exersaucers if they are not too big for the saucers yet. Pack n plays are probably the safest at this point. Otherwise, the house may have to wait for naptimes and bedtimes! Just my opinion of course, but if you do choose to try the room, make certain that is is ENTIRELY child-proofed, especially if they are unsupervised.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

you clean while they are near you in the room.
Or have a play yard to put them in. But the can climb out.
They will "learn" as a matter of routine, that Mommy cleans.. and they play.
Yes its not easy, but now that my kids are older, when I say "Mommy is going to be cleaning..." they know they play by themselves and they can call me when they need me. We are all in the same room, and I am doing my "chores." Or I have them "help" me to keep busy.
When your kids get older... they will be able to do kid appropriate "help."

Or, you clean when Daddy is home.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Dallas on

When my daughter was that age and a little younger, I loved the pack and play. I would alternate toys and OCCASIONALLY give a snack in there when she was able to handle that. (I'm talking cheerios here to keep mess in there to a minimum) You can also restrict an area of the house with a baby gate so that they will stay only in that room. I used to gate up the living room for my daughter when she was that age. I would put on music in there while she played. Toddler music occasionally, but it was usually soft rock/jazz or something like that. Occasionally, appropriate TV shows :) I know its difficult to get things done, there will be interruptions, but you will figure out what works best for you! Bless your heart with twins!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.S.

answers from Dallas on

baby gate, but they might not be maturily old enough for room time. Can they play in their cribs? you might need to "shrink" their worlds a little. I learned about this in the Toddler series of Growing Kids Gods Way. It goes Crib/pack and play time, then blanket time (they have to stay on the blanket and play without getting off for a specific amoutnt of time, then room time. The key to these is start the time small like 5 mins and work to longer. praise them for doing it well, and work to having them do it without crying. once they can handle it without crying for 5 mins, move to 10. you might have to resort to cleaning during naps and bedtime. Good luck

B.B.

answers from Dallas on

I agree. They're too young to be left unsupervised in their room. My older son is 2.5 years and he's just now interested in playing in his room. I'm still not comfortable leaving him in there alone, so I check on him a lot and he isn't allowed to close the door. Our house is small, so I can hear him no matter where I am in the house.

I do the cleaning while my kids are asleep. Some days I don't get any housework done, but I don't worry about it. I can vaccuum and tidy up while they're awake, but any heavy cleaning I do during naptime.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree with the previous response, especially at this age as they are making advancements quickly and may one day be able to do what they couldn't do the day before. I have a cabinet in the kitchen full of tupperware that my one year old plays with while I clean. If you need to leave them unsupervised because you're using chemicals, I'd put them in a pack and play in their room or their crib and put a baby monitor on them. good lucK!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.L.

answers from Boston on

I have 1 year old twins and keeping them in one room is nearly impossible! We have our living room COMPLETELY child-proofed. Its not pretty and very bare of all decorations or "nice things" but its what we have to do during their "very busy & very curious" phase of their life. I save any cleaning for naptimes. Once in a great while if I need to do alot of cleaning or work on a project within the house, I will send my husband out with the kids for a few hours. A trip to Grandma's is always exciting for them! Best wishes!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions