My 1-year-old pretty much has free reign of our home. When he first became mobile my husband was attending live-in police academy and I was on my own 24/7 five days a week–I simply decided that keeping him confined and following him around all day was not gonna happen. I strive to be a more laid-back mom, so rather than full-on baby proofing or constantly chasing around my little one, I made a few simple changes around the house that have made my life a whole lot easier. My basic rule is that as long my son is not in any danger, I leave him be. Here's what I've done to make it work:
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Switch to DIY and/or natural cleaning products. I may not be the overprotective type, but I certainly don't want my kiddo ingesting chemicals, so instead of investing in cabinet locks–which many kids figure out how to get into–I currently clean with mostly baking soda, lemon and white vinegar and the only cleaning products I purchase are the all-natural, non-toxic varieties.
Ditch the bleach. Yes, I know bleach counts as a cleaning product, but since it's one of the hardest habits to kick, I think it deserves its own call out. This stuff is dangerous with a capital "d." It can it irritate skin on contact–even from clothes that has gone through the rinse cycle- and if ingested, even a small amount can cause serious damage. Now, I don't keep it in the house at all, so I never have to worry about whether my son has made contact.
Clean out the cabinets. Once tots figure out how to open and shut cabinet doors it becomes quite the game. Each time they open them, there are new discoveries to be made. Plus, it's a great diversion for your little one while you're cooking dinner. Clear low cabinets of any heavy items or open products and you can feel confident that your child can play without getting hurt or wasting any costly food.
Stock each room. I like to keep a basket or bowl of small toys and benign household items in each room that my child has access to. That way, if he wants to follow me around the house as I get stuff done, there is always something to entertain him for at least a few minutes. If I work fast, I can clean the whole bathroom while he works through a small bin of toys.
Let them help. Toddlers make great helpers–they are interested in everything and love anything that involves one-on-one time with mom. Once you've made the switch to non-toxic/natural products, hand them a scrub brush or damp rag and let them "help" with such chores as dusting, dishes and cleaning the tub, rather than trying to keep them out of the room while you get it done.
Loosen up. Lastly, I've learned that I simply need to lower my standards. With a very mobile 1-year-old on the premises, each mess that I clean reappears almost instantly. So if you come to visit, my house won't be a showroom–it most likely won't even be presentable–but rest assured that we're all going to have a great time. I'd rather have time each day to enjoy my son's earliest years, than spend my entire day stressing about chores.
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