To those of you with toddlers and babies...my hat's off to you!
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
January 13, 2009 3:45pm CST
Today I'm watching two of my grandchildren. There's only two of them...they have plenty of toys here since they live nextdoor...I'm bigger than they are...so this should have been a piece of cake. Nope, they're only 9 months and almost 3 years old and they know how to tag team. If one isn't getting into something, the other one is. And, how come playpens went out of fashion? My daughter says she's never needed one...well, let me tell you this...I am exhausted...the batteries are almost dead on the baby swing (that they're both taking turns using for a whole five minutes)...the binky is lost...the dog is upset...the cats are hiding...my house is a wreck and even if the cats weren't hiding they'd be starving to death because the food dishes and the water bowl are siting on top of the washing machine in the laundry room. The 9 month old took a 20 minute nap but the almost 3 year old hasn't. He's relatively new to potty training so he's gone potty 50 times. He's still in his pajamas because I'm not even going to attempt to deal with a zipper and snap while trying to keep his baby sister from pulling herself up onto the toilet. I think she's mad at me, too. She's been saying "mommmm mommmm" for about an hour now.
Anyhoo...to all of you young mothers out there who take care of young ones all day and live to do it again the following day...you've got my respect. Does anyone use a playpen anymore? 
3 people like this
21 responses
@Lexus656 (672)
• United States
13 Jan 09
Wow sounds like my days, I work teo jobs from home and go to school full time from home and have a one year old. I know those days all to well. By lunch time most days I am wore slap out. Alot of people tell me that I am crazy and they can't see how I do it but I guess if it's your only option like mine then you find a way to make it work. Oh yea and I do use a playpen but it seems that, that is short lived my son is a climber and now he can get out of his high chair and his playpen so I don't have anything left to strap him into lol.
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
14 Jan 09
Right now my parents watch our 7 month old while my husband and I both work full time. I know they are happy to have him but also happy to see him go in the evening... I know he is a handful now that he is able to move around. They do have a playpen and use it every day! I'm currently looking into work at home options so I don't have to impose on them every day. I admire you for working at home and going to school!
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
• India
3 Feb 09
Well...hehheehe...I have a little boy (one month old)...I want a little girl too...Am I letting myself in for too much? LOL!!
Cheers and happy Mylotting
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
16 Jan 09
hi spalladino...i agree with you on that ...but during my time..i use a playpen for my children..so that it wont clutter much in the house and i can assure that they're safe while inside..i just make sure that their toys were not that small to eaten up to avoid choking or whatever..
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
24 Jan 09
I used to have a playpen for my son when he was a toddler. Usually I let him in it while I used to for a small nap in the summer early evening hours. It seems that as we grow older we lose patience with young ones. I don't imagine myself having a toddler around. Thank God my son is 8 yrs old.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I'm sorry you went through this. I have a 6 ,onth old and a 2 1/2 year old and I stay home with them 24/7. They do drive me nuts sometimes, but they are mine and I love them. It does seem a lot easier when they are your own. I would never watch anyone elses kids at these ages, especially two at a time. I do have a playpen but I don't really use it much. I do send one with them if someone else sits for them though. I also know other people that use them.
@FDBrister (115)
• United States
14 Jan 09
Lol, it sounds like they're showing you a thing or two. My little one is 10 months old and I've NEVER used a playpen. Take those two kids (make one a special needs), add a disabled husband, another child, a job, some school courses and a few CPS workers stopping by when they feel like it and you'll experience a day in my life.
I hope you took a shower BEFORE they came over because you'll never get one in while they're there. I also hope you weren't planning on cooking dinner tonight because from the sounds of it, they'll have you wiped out long before you get a chance to get started; even if you were planning to cook dinner, imagine having to chop with one hand and hold the 9-month-old with the other.
Don't worry, though you get to give them back when mom comes home; I don't have that luxury.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
14 Jan 09
i always respect mothers because i know their jobs are not easy... raising and educating kids are a 24/7 job and it is even more tiring compare to when you are working outside... and the worst part is, you don't get paid for doing it... but you get the satisfaction looking at your children growing up to become a good person and that feeling is priceless... so my hat's off too all the mothers in this world as well... take care and have a nice day...
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
14 Jan 09
Hope you survived it. I used to work daycare. First I worked in the baby room, where we couldn't keep a second person for more than a week. When everyone came in for the interview they would peek at the babies and coo over them. But it was a different story when they were in there helping with them. When you have eight of them crying all at once it isn't easy. Then I had a home daycare. I ended up with one child that would scream ridiculously every time I put him down. This made for a very long day, as I had to sit him down to fix lunch for the others and take care of the other infant I had. I never used a playpen for my own kids but did have one when I was working the daycare. I don't know if I would have survived without it then.
@SusanShayAvon (1003)
• United States
14 Jan 09
Well I have a 4 year old and a 6 year old and you would think that those days would be over but they are not!!This is what they look like when you tell them to do something or to stop doing something. Seriously they just look at me like I am talking a foreign language. They always know how to tag team. Just wait till a few more years. Then the fighting and you will think that they are gonna seriously hurt each other. But there are those times when they are acting up and then they have those days that they could not have been any better if they tried. They are all so precious no matter what day they are having. Just some days they make you more tired than others. But now matter how much they do it is always enjoyable because they will grow up way too quick. I used a playpen for both of mine but usually it only served the purpose of a bed. That is the only time that either one of them were in it. Both of mine had what the doctor's called the "Spoiled Syndrome." Put them down and they would cry. Pick them up and they would stop. LOL 
@redsponge (557)
• Malaysia
14 Jan 09
I think playpen is a good playground for the little one. I am going to get one for my baby when he grows bigger. He is only 4-months-old now. I also salute 
all the grandparents out there who helps to take care of the grandchildren! I know how tough it is when I saw my parents help to look after my brother's 2 1/2 years old son. He is so naughty, playing with remote control, stove, and etc. Hope you get to rest well tonight.
all the grandparents out there who helps to take care of the grandchildren! I know how tough it is when I saw my parents help to look after my brother's 2 1/2 years old son. He is so naughty, playing with remote control, stove, and etc. Hope you get to rest well tonight. 
@rainmark (4302)
•
14 Jan 09
We bought two playpens and we never use it now coz my baby don't like being there he wanted to get out and take a walk round and round the house, going to the kitchen opening the cupboard, playing his toys which is messing aroung the floor. SO i think playpen is no use now. My baby is unstoppable now very energetic dont want to sleep even im already tired and lseepy he wanted to play. But still it's still rewarding seeing him growing strong and healthy and happy baby.
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
14 Jan 09
I have a two year old and he doesn't seem like a handful untill you actually are with him for a good bit. I also just took on a babysitting job with a three year old. So i have my hands full and have been exhausted by the end of the day. Yesterday my son was all about touch this touch that. He wanted to play with the stereo, or get on the treadmill( it was put up but he knows his ways), or pull out stuff that is breakable. Stuff like that. I was running around in circles pulling my hair sort of speak. He even pulled out the potty chair that had pee in it. It ended in one nasty mess that i hope to never have to go through again. I almost gagged at the smell. Anyways its great being a mom and has to be even better being a grandma. Have fun!!!
@CRIVAS (1815)
• Canada
14 Jan 09
I feel for you. I have two children one is three and the other is four. I have a play pen, thankfully my aunt bought me one for my baby shower. I have to tell you I would have gone crazy without it. It is hard enough keeping up with one never mind trying to run in two different directions. My daughters are older now and I am more patient but I have to say that I don't know a lot of other 26 year olds with two children that haven't gone crazy. I bet you can't wait till mommy comes to get them so that you and your pets can have the house to yourselves again,LOl. Good luck.
@nishdan01 (3051)
• Singapore
14 Jan 09
Handling kids are difficult. I have a boy who is 2 year and 10 months and another baby on the way in just 2 weeks. It has been really difficult to look after one and so I camn immagine how it may be with two. It is really tiring. Now my son is understanding me much better and hence things got a bit better. I never invested in a playpen but I got one from a friend. My son never slept in it and it was a toy storage place for me for some time. So I threw it away. PLaypen does not work with kids these days.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
14 Jan 09
I know what you mean when my employee's son comes to my house to play while his mom works he gets tiring after about an hour. Mind you I love JJ dearly but all that 3 year old energy wears on a grown person after a while.That being said if I never saw him I would be so sad. The trick is to get your kid fix and send them home soon afterward. I know I am not ready to have kids even one 24hrs a day.
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
14 Jan 09
LOL! I'm sorry but this made me giggle, I know how exhausting it can be thou. We are raising one of our grandbabies and she is 2. She has always lived with us and all I can say is she keeps me on my toes.
Now I have 10 grandbabies and have been insane enough to have almost all here for the weekend. Plus 2 nephews. We had a 4 year old and then 5 babies under 2 at one point. I tell you I gave up cleaning for the most part!
I have never used a playpen, not with any of mine, we have 7, 8 counting the granddaughter. I don't know why I never did, guess I just had the energy then to chase. I'm trying to find the energy again with grandbabies!
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
14 Jan 09
Well I hope you survived lol. I have two boys that are 23 months apart and after that, I realized that I wanted to wait a while, ok 6 years to have another baby. It was much easier having them 6 years apart lol
I had a playpen but it was mostly used for toys. The kids screamed in it non stop.
@sarleystar (22)
• Australia
14 Jan 09
Well....I have a two and a half year old who is very energetic, full of beans and can never seem to sit even just for 5 minutes. up until recently I could not use the computer, have a shower on my own.....in peace or even attempt do some housework. He keeps me on my toes all day, and to top it off he does not sleep either during the day. I have now discovered a way of doing all the things required of me during my day plus keep this very active little boy at bay.......Smokey and the Bandit, 1 & 2. Yes...absolutely adores the movies. I can not seem to drag him away, thats a good thing, although when it comes to bed time he insists on sleeping on the sofa so that he can watch these movies continuously throughout the night....not on! He has never had a playpen, none of my children have, I don't think they're that popular anymore.
@cassiendustin (24)
•
14 Jan 09
I have a 11 month old and a 2 and a half year old and both girls. My 7 year old son is at school during the day. He is a big help. And dad is gone all day at work. I wouldnt know what to do without my playpen and double stroller. I know it is cold outside but kids love it no matter what put them in the stroller and walk them around the house.. Good way to get them to take a nap to. They are so comfy in there they just fall right asleep just like being in a car. I wouldnt know where i would be with out those two things i take them every where i go..
