Snowed In: How to Keep Your Toddler Entertained Without Losing Your Mind

It's morning. You lift the window blinds and admire the thin coat of snow, thinking it will be easy to clear and the roads will be all yours in no time. You grab the baby and head downstairs, clearing the morning cobwebs with coffee while simultaneously feeding your toddler her hot cereal. Once breakfast is over and done with, you dress the baby and yourself and peer out the window, only to notice the heavy snowflakes obliviously coating your driveway and your world. It doesn't seem like anybody will be making it to playgroup today, does it?

Before banging your head against the wall, take a few humble suggestions from the mother of a 17 month old child. Read on to find ways to help your baby entertain himself while you do your chores or sneak in that game of online Scrabble that is calling to you.

1. Mirrors are fun at all ages, make sure to place a safe mirror at your baby's eye level and let her talk to the reflected baby, make faces and figure herself out.

2. Forbidden pleasures: let your baby play with something he normally wouldn't be allowed to touch. One thing I like to do is 'forget' to close the diaper box so my daughter can pull them out and put them all in a row while happily talking to herself. This entertainment lasts quite a while (in baby minutes, of course!). Alternatives: pots and pans, shoes, daddy's sock drawer, sealed boxes or cans of food. Did I mention sealed? You don't want your daughter walking around with strands of dry spaghetti in her mouth. I speak from experience of course.

3. VTech electronic books are an excellent way for your child to keep himself busy. The story tells itself and your baby can manipulate the animals and other subjects of the story to change the tune or get them to say something. Just change the batteries every few months and you're good to go. Our VTech book is a true lifesaver, and I'm not just saying that for the page hits.

4. Videos: many of us parents are reluctant to park our children in front of the TV, but a short children's video or ten minutes of Animal Planet will not hurt anyone. So grab that old Care Bares VHS or the newest Disney DVD and let her watch until she's had enough... that should give you 5-15 minutes of alone time. Run and wash those dishes!

5. Once the snow has stopped falling, grab boots and gloves and let your toddler play in the snow, feeling it, tasting it and developing all her senses in this newfound white playground. Don't forget the camera or camcorder!

Do enjoy your snowed in day and let me know if any of my tips have helped you along!