From "No No No" to "Yes Space": How I Saved My Sanity with a Toddler-Safe Zone
Let me paint you a picture of my life six months ago: There I was, with a newborn attached to my chest and a toddler who seemed to have gained superpowers in destructiveness since becoming a big sister. I found myself following her around like a stressed-out shadow, repeatedly saying "no" so many times that it stopped sounding like a real word. "No, please don't stuff your socks down the heat register!" "No, we can't unscrew the legs from the kitchen table!" "No, the walls are not your personal art gallery!" Sound familiar? (And yes, that last one happened right after I found her with a crayon she'd somehow excavated from the depths of my purse.)
Between bottles and diaper changes, and trying to prevent our house from becoming a disaster zone, I was beyond exhausted. My toddler was frustrated with all the new changes, and something had to give. The breaking point? Trying to stop my toddler from "redecorating" the living room while simultaneously soothing a crying newborn. That's when I discovered the concept of a "Yes Space," and let me tell you, fellow tired mamas (especially those juggling multiple tiny humans), it's been an absolute game-changer for our household. Even my Frenchie seems relieved he no longer has to watch his tiny human's every move with those worried bulgy eyes of his!
What's a Yes Space? (And Why You Desperately Need One)
A Yes Space is exactly what my sanity-deprived brain needed: a safe zone where my little tornado can explore, play, and be their wild toddler self without me having to channel my inner helicopter parent. Think of it as a toddler-proof bubble where you can finally take a breath (and maybe even drink your coffee while it's still hot!).
How I Created Our Yes Space (Without Breaking the Bank)
Here's how I transformed a corner of our living room into what I now call my "Mommy's Little Miracle Zone":
1. Location, Location, Location
I chose a corner of our living room where I could easily keep an eye on my little explorer while folding laundry or pretending to fold laundry while scrolling through my phone (no judgment here!). Any visible spot works - even a sectioned-off area of their bedroom or a dedicated playpen.
2. Safety First, Pinterest Perfect Later
I filled the space with things that wouldn't make me cringe if they ended up in my toddler's mouth (because let's be real, everything ends up there). Our must-haves include:
Soft blocks that won't hurt when inevitably thrown
Board books that can survive a teething session
A cozy mat or rug that's easy to clean (trust me on this one) we did upgrade our area to a small tent after we had such success with our Yes Space
Fabric bins because the plastic will make great drums (RIP my eardrums)
Click here for a link to the tent, fabric bins, rug, pillows, and a few other items we used in our YES Space (the tent is often out of stock so I have linked a few other that are very similar)*
3. The Great Toy Edit
I removed anything that would make me say "no" faster than a toddler can make a mess. Goodbye, tiny choking hazards! Sayonara, markers that could double as wall art supplies!
Why This Actually Works (I Promise!)
Remember when we were kids and the forbidden cookie jar was all we could think about? Toddlers are the same way - they want what they can't have. By creating a space where everything is allowed, suddenly the electrical outlets and knife drawer lose their mysterious appeal. (Okay, maybe not entirely, but you get the point!)
Our Yes Space Success Story
Want to know the best part? The first time I let my daughter loose in her Yes Space, I actually managed to drink an entire cup of coffee while it was still warm. I repeat: WARM COFFEE. This alone made it worth the effort.
But seriously, watching her confidently explore her space, making her own choices (even if that choice is dumping out every single toy), has been incredible. And on days when my second baby needs me, having a safe space for my toddler has been an absolute lifesaver.
Plus, she enjoys having a space all her own, a space the baby can’t go in!
Pro Tips from a Reformed "No" Mom
Here's what I've learned along the way:
Keep It Simple: Start small - you don't need to create a miniature Disneyland. A few safe toys and some space to move is plenty.
Toy Rotation Is Your Friend: Every couple of weeks, I swap out some toys. It's like Christmas morning for my toddler, and I don't have to buy anything new. Win-win!
Consistency Is Key: Make the Yes Space part of your daily routine. We do "independent play time" every morning while I caffeinate myself back to life.
The Real Talk
Look, creating a Yes Space won't solve all your toddler-related challenges. Your little one will still find creative ways to test your patience (like that time mine figured out how to unscrew the salt shaker in the 30 seconds it took me to grab the crying baby). But it will give you moments of peace, and those moments are pure gold when you're in the trenches of toddlerhood.
Your Turn!
Ready to create your own slice of toddler paradise? Start small, keep it safe, and watch the magic happen. And please, tell me about your Yes Space wins in the comments below - especially if they involve drinking hot beverages while they're actually still hot!
Remember: We're all in this crazy toddler-raising adventure together. Sometimes the best parenting solutions are the ones that let us say "yes" more than "no" - even if that means occasionally finding stuffed animals in the toy kitchen's play oven. (Don't worry, they're having a spa day, obviously!)
*These are Amazon affiliate links so I do receive a small commission, think less than the price of a coffee if you purchase these items!
