[Amykk]

Does anyone have a play-yard or big playpen that they like? I don't even know if JJ would play in one or just throw a fit, but I feel like I need somewhere to put him sometimes for just a few minutes to answer the phone or even to go to the bathroom. He doesn't want to take naps anymore and he beelines for the most dangerous thing he can find the second I put him down.

I've seen the ones that kind of look like a fence that you just put up on the floor, but they don't look that sturdy to me.

[jpfister]

I highly recommend an excersaucer! Place it in front of the TV and you can do whatever you need to.

[soon2bemom]

You know the new style playpens are way to small. You can sometimes find old fashioned ones, the big square kind. Here are two pictures I just randomly found on the internet which show what I mean

[Princesa's Mama]

He may like a Jumparoo! I put Sarah in that and put on her Baby Einstein dvds when I need to work in my office or want to check in on the forum

I have a pack 'n play (the square shape, which I found at a garage sale) that I have set up in my dining room. When I need to take a shower, I put Sarah in there. At first she wasn't wild about that but I put some of her favorite books and toys in with her and explain to her that Mommy has to take a shower and will be back soon. She plays in there now, without complaint, for a half-hour or more. It is important to feel like they are somewhere safe when you have something important to do and they can't be with you.

[lovemylittlejoe]

Have you tried a walker yet? I know you said he gets into things but a walker usually doesn't allow them to get to close to stuff due to the bumpers and wheels. I know it all depends on your home lay-out too, ours is all one level ranch style, so no stairs to worry about.

Joey wouldn't stay put in an exersaucer or a play pen PERIOD, so he was in the walker if I had to get things done or just get him "out" of things for a while. I would put cheerios on the little tray in front and he'd munch on those and cruise around (usually following me while I did my thing, ie... putting away laundry or fixing dinner, etc...). He was always happy in his walker.

Once he out grew that at 13 mos. I just put a ton of stuff away and baby proofed the entire house so he could have free reign. Granted he did get into stuff like cat food bowl, tore up some of my magazines and sometimes got ahold of the TV remote, but it was worth the extra headache of putting most stuff away so he could roam freely (and me not having to worry all the time).

Good Luck!

[avoel]

I use the exersaucer although she now knows that she is being put in "baby jail" when I do! I also stick her in her crib with a few books when I can't be watching her close like when I have taken her out of the bathtub and dressed her and then need to get big sister out. We used the pack and play outside a lot this summer so she could be out with us but didn't have to be confined in the stroller or held all the time and that seemed to work well but I haven't set it up inside.

[annaguat]

I like those big old fashion off the ground play pens. I am not sure if they still carry them. I think so if you look for it. Anna

[mama8]

Look around for a Graco Pack N Play Play Pen - not the porta cribs - you may find one at a resale shop - they are not that old, but I have not seen them in stores - also try Ebay. Our daughter just loves to be in hers and I feel good having a relatively safe place to put her when needed. She loves to be on the floor - but when you are taking a shower or need her off the floor for a short period of time, it is just great. She sits and plays with toys, is trying to pull up on it and may even dose off for a quick nap. I have always loved play pens, we don't use them much - but they are great when you need them. Also great for the beach and pools in the summertime!

Good luck!

[Amykk]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I seem to have the only kid whose not crazy for the jumparoo, so I have a feeling he wouldn't like the exersaucer either. I did look on Ebay and ended up buying a Playzone play yard fence thingie with extensions so that it is big enough for him to crawl around a little - we'll see how that works out!