How To Keep Your Toddler Entertained While Working

One of the biggest challenges facing working parents today is balancing job responsibilities alongside spending time with their young children. Toddlers are very physically active at this stage in their lives and demand a lot of hands-on attention and time. Fortunately, there are ways to balance this clash of interests. If you're a working parent, here are some tips about how to keep your child happy and engaged while also accomplishing career tasks.

1. Entertaining a toddler is no small job, but chances are there are many gadgets you have in your work space that would hold a child's attention. Counting paper clips or sliding them inside a magnetic holder is very interesting, as well as stapling papers (when appropriate and safe). Perhaps there is a computer keyboard that could be used for typing fun. Toddlers love the tactile feel of objects that are different from their everyday toys, especially if they see it's a gadget mom or dad uses while working.
2. Involve your child in whatever job it is you are working on, and they will feel both appreciated and important. For example, if you are adding up accounts or working on a budget, give your toddler a small calculator that he or she can use as well. When taking notes or writing a proposal, give your child a clipboard, legal pad, notebook, etc. along with an "official" work pencil or pen for them to draw with. While making calls to customers or business associates, let your child play with an old cell or disconnected office phone. If part of your job requires addressing envelopes or mailing packages, let your young one "stamp" envelopes with stickers or "address" an envelope and put a personal letter/drawing inside. Toddlers definitely enjoy imitation play.
3. Amusing a toddler while working at home is a bit simpler when you are freed from the confines of an office, but if your livelihood depends on a solid work effort in your home environment, it may still require you to get creative. Perhaps you have a home office computer that can become a special movie theater for a quick child's video, complete with headphones. Lay out a blanket on the floor and let your child have a snack picnic. Sometimes simply changing your work space can keep your toddler safely amused. Try to take your work with you outside in our backyard, or perhaps even to a park bench at the playground.

Usually, a toddler is content to just be near you, so don't feel guilty if you can't be constantly entertaining them. These experiences may even open up the opportunities for your child to get some reinforcement or parental lessons on everyday tasks in the real world, along with feeling loved and needed.