A bucket of ponies this week when preschool is closed as a precaution after thanksgiving. Otherwise she is in school thank god. It’s just not a realistic plan OP to have no childcare with a kid under 5. The situation sucks but it’s a hand we’ve been dealt. Either nanny, daycare, or someone leans out in their career.

Khan Academy Kids

I stay on mute and take my laptop wherever I need to go with the kid. Sometimes that even means the bathroom while he plays with toys in the bath, or outside while he’s on the swing set.

Hire a babysitter if you can afford it, even if it's a stretch. It will save your sanity and possibly your job.

In desperation I have locked myself in a closet in my bedroom....

My 2 year old absolutely will not watch TV. But he at least sleeps 2 hours during naptime. I schedule every meeting at 2pm during naptime.

Headphones for the kid. All the art and craft stationary. Get some age-appropriate activity books. Download some educational apps. Keep snacks handy.

Anonymous wrote:I sit on the floor with my computer and let her build Lego towers and knock them down.

This. Provided I’ve managed to get her baby sister down for a nap first, and I’m not juggling both of them and a meeting!
Also PBS Kids. Construction paper, crayons, tape, and safety scissors. Magnetiles.

I keep back up toys and activities when I see her getting bored and dole them out during the course of the call

I sit on the floor with my computer and let her build Lego towers and knock them down.

If you have a work call that lasts for an hour, how do you handle your preschooler?

Mine won’t watch tv alone... snacks only last so long... any other ideas??