Before Harry turned one, it was easy to restrict his screen time. We just didn’t expose him to kiddo programming, and left the TV off as much as possible when he was awake and downstairs. We made an exception for Sunday football so that we could watch the Vikings, but for the most part, he was TV free.

But then he turned one, and things got a little loosey goosey. It wasn’t like he was starting his day with a show, but I felt like on the weekends, the TV was on too much around him. I’d put something on to watch (for me) and he’d play on the floor. I convinced myself that because he wasn’t sitting and watching it that it didn’t matter, but the truth was, I wanted to watch TV.

Week before last Aaron went ice fishing all day Sunday, and the TV was on a lot. And as a long day drew to a close, I felt pretty convicted.

When Aaron got home that night, I told him that we needed a dedicated play space for Harry. Having his play area be where both my laptop and TV are made it too easy for me to tune out and just let him play around me. And I don’t want to parent that way.

So if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you know that Saturday was all about Operation Playroom.

We have a bonus room above our garage that was my photography studio, but has pretty much just been unused ever since I stopped shooting. It housed my office where I never officed. Eventually it will be our guest room too (I hope!), so I knew that I wanted to designate a specific spot for his toys.

The alcove was the perfect choice.

How it looked Saturday morning:

During Harry’s morning nap we moved everything out—the bookcase into the closet, the wash stand against another wall, and the enamel table to the basement.

And then it was off to Ikea!

I wanted to get him a kid-sized table and chairs, plus a bookcase for books and toys. And the Ikea Expedit was the perfect size and the perfect fit.

Once Harry went to bed, it was furniture building time.

And then it was done!

Some of his stuffed animals in my childhood doll cradle:

On Sunday morning he woke up crazy early (it was still plenty dark out), so we walked down the hall, into the bonus room, and he pointed and said “dat!”

It’s only been a few days, but to say it’s been a hit would be an understatement. On Sunday it was so great to have somewhere to go and play that was away from the dogs, the TV, and somewhere that he could crawl all over without me having to tell him “no” to playing with the laptop cord, “no” to pulling all the DVDs out of the bin, or “no” to climbing the entertainment stand.

He seems like such a big boy sitting at his little table:

The Expedit is perfect for toy storage. We moved almost all Harry’s toys up here; we left a few in the storage ottoman in the living room, most of his books in his bedroom, and his music table in our bedroom, but otherwise this is it. It’s great to have everything in one spot, and I hope this piece will grow with him.

He’s a fan!

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