How to Get Things Done With a Toddler

Wondering how to get things done with a toddler when he’s needy (and there’s so much to do)? Organize your days with these 5 effective tips.

Are you finding it impossible to get anything done with your toddler around?

You’re at your wit’s end, unable to do much with him awake. You end up doing most of these tasks after he’s already in bed, which means you’re dragging yourself the next day from having stayed up the previous night.

Whether it’s washing dishes, grocery shopping, or working from home, you can’t get anything done when he can’t entertain himself at all. Spending time together—from playing to crafts to reading—are still not enough for him to be happy.

If you can relate, you’re definitely not alone.

I’ve had my share of days with kids who need me to play and keep them company. I’ve even found myself anxious for them to get older and become more independent, then felt guilty for not cherishing the moment.

Still, we’ve all wanted to have a few hours—even minutes—to get other stuff done, too. To have that infamous “alone time” we’re all supposed to have.

Rest assured, this stage passes on its own eventually. But if “eventually” can’t come quick enough, you’re still not without options. After three kids, I’ve learned a few tricks to get things done, even when my kids clung to my side 24/7.

From actionable tips to mindset shifts, these tips will help you be productive, enjoy your toddler, and even find time for yourself:

1. Include your toddler in your tasks

It’s easy to think, If he wasn’t in the way, I’d get these dishes done so much faster. You feel compelled to find something to occupy him, shoo him away, or rush like crazy in the few minutes you have to yourself.

Sometimes we think we need to save our heavy tasks for when our kids are out of the way, unaware that we can do both at the same time. To be sure, getting housework done is much quicker alone, but including your toddler has its own benefits.

For one thing, you can reserve your evenings as time for yourself (instead of reserving it to do these tasks). You’re also teaching him life skills he’ll eventually need to learn for himself. And finally, you’re able to spend time together, even having fun along the way.

So, what are a few things he can help with? He can…

Spray surfaces while you wipe (or wipe while you spray)
Sweep the floor
Put toys and items where they belong
Hold the vacuum cord while you vacuum
Push the laundry buttons and sort the clean clothes
Watch you cook, or even pour and add ingredients
Pick music for your “dance cleaning party”

By including him in your tasks, you’re teaching him important life skills, clearing up your evenings, and even having fun together. He won’t feel like he has to nag or whine to grab your attention when you can invite him to cook with you in the kitchen.

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2. Create a basket of “trinkets”

One reason your toddler clings to your side is because he doesn’t have anything else to do. Switch things up by creating a basket of “trinkets.”

Before you even need any of them, gather a few simple items and toys to hand him when you need time to focus on something else. This way, he’s preoccupied with something new, allowing you to get your task done.

A few tips:

Don’t hand him more than one item at a time. Giving him the whole basket, or even a few things together, isn’t necessary. Instead, stretch these items as long as they can go by giving him one item at a time.
Give simple items that don’t need your help. The point is to keep him occupied on his own with toys that don’t need your attention. Stick to simple items like crayons, water paint, stickers, and figurines.

3. Include “quiet time” into your day

We all treasure our coveted nap time, if only so we can get a few moments of peace to ourselves. But what do you do when your child no longer naps, or naps have become a struggle?

Incorporate a regular “quiet time” in your day, whether he actually falls asleep or needs a nap. When my twins outgrew their naps and no longer needed to sleep in the middle of the day, I still enforced quiet time so we could all get a break.

You see, toddlers who no longer need a nap are in that “in between” stage. They may not need a nap, but they’re still pretty needy without it. Focusing on a task with your toddler clinging to your side isn’t exactly productive.

So, you enforce quiet time into your routine. He stays in his room and can choose to rest in his bed, read books, play with toys—anything so long as the activity is quiet.

This not only gives you uninterrupted time, but also provides him a chance to rest and recover from the day’s activities.

Now, if he used to take long naps, it may be a bit unfair to ask that he stay in his room for just as long. Instead, shorten quiet time, but make it at least one hour so you still have that time for yourself.

For instance, if he normally napped for two hours, make quiet time one hour. Otherwise, he might struggle being in his room for two hours without having slept.

Get a few ideas on how to create a toddler schedule.

4. Encourage your toddler to spend time with others

One of the reasons your toddler could be glued to your side is because she isn’t used to spending time with others.

Easy for you to say, you might think, especially when she cries the minute she’s with grandma, or refuses to let dad give her a bath. But as exhausted from the meltdowns as you may be, don’t relent to her wishes every time. This only confirms her theories that she shouldn’t be with anyone else but you.

Instead, calmly and confidently explain that daddy is giving her a bath while you do the dishes, or that grandma will take her to the park this afternoon. She may feel uncomfortable at first, but over time, she’ll learn to love these moments with other people.

Get more tips on how to handle your clingy toddler.

5. Be where you need to be

We often find ourselves multitasking constantly, don’t you think?

When we’re with our kids, we’re thinking of the work we still need to do. When we’re at work or doing these tasks, we feel guilty we’re not spending more time with our kids. Then each time we butt heads with them, we’re secretly wishing for them to grow up already and out of this stage.

What if, instead of battling these multiple thoughts and feelings, we’re 100% focused on what is in front of us?

Dedicate an hour to be with your toddler, without any work, chores, or other worries and thoughts clouding your mind. Let go of unrealistic standards you may be holding yourself to, and instead be where you need to be in that moment.

That way, he has your complete attention and feels better equipped to play on his own. This will then allow you more uninterrupted time to tend to that sink or focus on work, because he’s now playing quietly nearby.

Conclusion

Getting things done with a toddler is definitely a skill to master, but not impossible.

Start by providing your child with simple trinkets you’ve collected in a basket, ready to hand to him when you most need time for yourself. Combine play and work by including him in your tasks, from holding the vacuum cord to wiping the dining table.

Even if he no longer naps, include “quiet time” into your day to allow both of you to recharge and catch up. Find opportunities for him to spend more time with others, from your partner to his grandparents.

And finally, remember to be where you need to be—parenthood is filled with seasons that come and go. Sometimes we need to be with our kids more so than other tasks and obligations calling for us.

Yes, even if that means playing on the floor with your toddler while the dishes are piled in the sink.

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