For those of you with toddlers at home....

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Specializes in none yet!.

What do you do to keep your toddler safe and busy while you study? I have a 2 yo, and my husband works nights, so I won't have any help during study time. Just trying to figure out how I will accomplish all of this with a little one running around getting into things! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

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I have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old. I have trouble with two of them but am usually ok with just one. First off I am not someone who leaves my knicknacks in reach, or leaves anything even remotely dangerous near my kids. I've always watched them like a hawk, but I'm a huge proponent of babyproofing. I set up my living room with lots of toys, no knicknacks, and anything that is not either kidproof or kid property up high (on the mantle or on top of the TV. I have a piece of furniture blocking a hall doorway, and I slide the couch against the arch going into my living room. (its too lg an opening for any babygate I have ever used) I pop on Noggin, give her a baggie or little cup of baby friendly snacks and a sippy cup of juice. I usually get 22 minutes that way (the length of a show - no commercials, I hate what kid commercials do to my kids). If my daughter starts to bounce off the walls I generally take her for a walk or something active to get her to burn off some steam. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Another thing that helps is scheduling everything. Dinner, bath, ect. It seems to make the night go more smoothly with less drama and tantrums, and that means more time for studying.

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Specializes in ICU.

I have 3 children (10, 4, 2) The older one is in school obviously but the 4 year old is half day preK and so for her and/or my 2 year old, it's all about keeping them occupied and taking advantage of every opportunity you get. If it is "light" study time I will just pop in a favorite movie and/or plop down some of favorite toys and then I will do my work in the same room so that I can keep an eye on them and still get something done. If it is "serious" study time I will wait for him to take his nap while the others are at school(which is hardly ever anymore! grr) or sometimes I have to wait until they are all in bed. I have also been known to go to grandmas and let her keep an eye on them while I study. Basically if there is a moment, take it. It's not easy but it is certainly doable.

Just remember to take some breaks and get down on the floor and play with them. You will both enjoy it and it refreshes you a bit and they don't feel like they are competing with a book all day!

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I have a 4 1/2 year old and 1 year old twins. I have decided to leave them at the baby-sitters longer than I am actually in class to get some study time in. I also do quite a bit on Sundays. It is next to impossible for me to study with the kids around. For example, right now my twins are fighting over a bottle despite the fact that there is another full one a foot away. :rolleyes: If it's not a bottle, it's a toy. Or my older daughter trying to play too rough with them or carry them around.

It is without a doubt harder to study with kids around, but so many people have done it before, I keep telling myself I can too. In fact, my mom did almost exactly the same as I am. My sisters (twins) were 2 and I was a newborn when she went to nursing school.

Remember this... This too shall pass... This too shall pass.... This too shall pass....

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Specializes in none yet!.

Thanks everyone for your replies! Our house is definitely child-proofed, so no worries there. My daughter is a NICU baby (former 24 weeker), so schedules are a way of life for her, and I wouldn't have it any other way! I just can't imagine how in the world I will be able to go to school M-F 8-5, and then be able to study 6 or 7 hours every night. I can see 2 or 3 hours, but not 6 or 7 hours! I've recruited Granna to help out every now-and-then, so I'll just see how it goes!

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If its something you need to memorize like med. term, we went to the mall or somewhere where he could be in the stroller and we could walk. I would be chanting, and he would be looking around. It worked when we really needed it. Its really great when they start quoting the chanting :chuckle!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I have 4 kids, my youngest just turned 2 on Monday, they way my house is set up is I have a family room on the bottom floor which is where I am usually at. I have the stairs blocked off. The room is part family room and part her playground pretty much. She will usually keep herself busy sitting next to me reading books or playing with her stuff, I also go on the OnDemand and put it on Noggin, she likes Blues Clues and really into Jacks Big Music Show because she loves music. Other than that I utilize nap time and after bed time.

I also have a membership at this toddler play place that is set up really nice and that she loves. They have little tables through out it and WiFi so you can work on stuff while your little one plays. I haven't studied their yet but I see many people do it without incident.

I don't baby proof my home (just not my thing, I don't leave out knives or cleaners but I house proof my kids) But the area where my daughter and I are always at, their isn't much she can get into and she knows the things she isn't allowed to mess with and the way it's set up she is always in my view.

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