Saturday 7 April 2012

Playpens and play yards- too old-fashioned and confining?


Sometimes a young mother just needs time to herself. There are many tasks and responsibilities to which she must attend each day. Tidy the house, cook the meals, do the washing, pay the bills, answer the phone, attend to correspondence, these are among the many demands on her time, in addition to child care.

If she must divide her attention between a baby or toddler, maybe two, and her other duties, something is going to suffer. The least that can happen is that the job at hand will take longer, and not be done as thoroughly as if she could give it her undivided attention.

It is more serious when the child becomes involved in a potentially harmful activity. It doesn't take long for a toddler to climb several stairs, but be unable to descend safely by himself. He may be inspired to poke something into a wall outlet or pull a lamp or other heavy object down on himself. Children move fast, and if the parent's attention is distracted, as it often must be in the course of the day, tragedy can result.

The wise parent makes use of a secure environment, such as a playpen or a play yard to ensure her child's safety during those times when she's busy with other things. Old-fashioned? Maybe. Confining? Maybe. Sensible? Definitely.

For the parent, playpens and play yards provide free blocks of time in which necessary tasks can be done without distraction and without worrying about the child's safety. She'll work more quickly and more competently. She'll have more time in which to give the child her undivided attention when she's finished.

For the child, he can play with toys provided, watch TV or videos, even take a nap if a quilted pad is fitted to the floor of the playpen. He'll learn to have quiet times and that he doesn't have to be moving at full speed every waking moment. This is a valuable lesson.

Young children are naturally active and easily stimulated. Left to their own devices, they'll often wear themselves out, become fussy, uncooperative and embark on a first-class temper tantrum in an effort to be allowed to do whatever they wish at that particular moment, without any restrictions.

Having a snug, secure playpen or play yard in which to place the little rebel at that moment, where he'll be safe yet get the idea that he's not the lord of the premises as yet, is a priceless benefit for a hassled parent.

Most young parents today grew up to be the healthy, stable, well-adjusted adults because their parents used playpens. I doubt that babies have changed much within a generation.

The next time a young mother complains that she never gets anything done in the house, that she has no time for herself, or that her child is very active, do her a favour, get her a playpen or a play yard. She may object at first, saying it's old-fashioned or too confining, but if she gives it a try she'll probably never want to return it until the child starts high school!

1 comment:

  1. I have two year old baby and i know how difficult to manage home and a baby at same time. I was thinking to buy Kids Playpen for my child. After reading the above post about playpen i worry less about child safety.

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