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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
kids don't like staying in the basement playroom - what to do?
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Anonymous
so random yet quite funny! |
Anonymous
My 7 yo and 3 yo love their basement play area. But b/c it's been off limits for some time as we renovated it, they were dying to go down there. Now they love it. reverse psychology? |
Anonymous
Just lock the door! 
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Anonymous
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How inviting is the basement? Is it carpeted with good lighting? Are the toys displayed in a way that are easily accessible? Is there comfortable seating? How is the temperature down there? Does the furniture/storage have rounded edges? Can the children easily hear the adults, even if they can't see you?
Kids like bright, comfortable spaces with their toys displayed in a way that makes sense to them--at their height. The room should feel comfortable enough so that they can rough-house a bit without worrying (or you worrying) about getting injured. Younger children need to have to have some connection to the adults above--e.g., within earshot--in order to feel comfortable. |
Anonymous
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get velcro carpet and put them in fuzzy shoes
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Anonymous
| How about instead of wanting to pretend that you don't have children by stuffing them and their stuff in the basement ,you acknowledge their presence and importance in your life and allow them to use the main areas of the house and fully participate in household life. You know, with toys, games and books. You might even *gasp* get a bookcase and box to put in the living room where they could store some things. You might want to think about why you want to hide all evidence of your children from public (and your) view. You don't need to convert your living room to a playroom, but seriously...you have 3 kids, one of whom is a baby. Why do you feel that you must have a home that has no visible toys? That's just odd. Embrace this time of your life. In the blink of an eye, your children will be grown and gone and you can have all the anal retentive living space you desire. |
Anonymous
| line the basement floor with flypaper. |
Anonymous
not the pp who posted this but its not random (and I'm showing my age) |
Anonymous
don't feel too old... i'm 28 and caught the reference as my BFF and i watched this depressing movie a million times in middle school... |
Anonymous
NP here. Some of us in our mid-30's read all the books! Really, OP, your question is a little sad. You don't expect your baby to stay down there and play without you and/or your dh much, do you?! |
Anonymous
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no no no!
I got the reference! But it's just so out there! I still love the answer, however. Sincerely, V.C. Andrews
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crocodile9dad
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Anonymous
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is it colder down there? we have a basement rec room that would be perfect for a playroom, but it's always kind of chilly. In the summer that might be appealing, but in the winter, not so much.
i'm hoping that in my next house, I can get one that has a playspace on the same level as the living room. That way we can have our adult space and some room for kids' toys. Right now they've slowly taken over my living room. I roll with it, though, by picking them up when my daughter goes to bed, then it's Mom's room again. 
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Anonymous
yes, this is what we do and we are all down in the basement about 80% of the time. So much so that I feel like most of our main level is wasted. |
Anonymous
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OP here - my #1 & #2 like to play soccer/hockey/basketball/baseball etc in the basement playroom, when they can't play outside, and also it's not a big space to begin with. that's why don't have much furniture there. their books and games and other 'quiet activities' items are on the main level, and that's working well so far.
it does have wall-to-wall newish carpet and good lighting, and not terribly colder. i guess we all (kids & parents) need to adjust to the fact that we don't have the luxury of a main-level playroom (really a rough-house room before #3) anymore and try to find a happy medium. the baby's toys are not an issue. we pick the up and put them away anyways. tks for your suggestions. |