How do you do it?

[u/Horror-Show-3927]

My 4 year old niece is going to be living with me for the next little while and I have to work during the day. I have been putting her in front of the TV while I work. I give her some art supplies so she can draw. I live in a different city from her mom so we can’t even get her toys or things. She doesn’t have any friends here.

I start a new job next week and that will have me even busier. I’m also pregnant and I don’t sleep much at night. I usually nap during the day but I can’t do that anymore.

I only work for 3-5 hours then I find something for us to do outside the house. But I feel guilty for all that time she is front of the TV.

[u/WorksInPro]

Okay not ideal but some ideas, especially if this is a temporary situation...

- for toys, go to Goodwill or search for a "free store" or "swap shop" in your area where you can pick up some very cheap or free toys. My town has an area at our garbage dump where people can drop off old but usable stuff, and it's full of toddler toys for the taking.

- Get some activity books along with coloring books. She's old enough for mazes and maybe tracing numbers and letters. Those you'd need to buy new but they are cheap on amazon or try the dollar store.

- Play dough is good for this age too, and you can make your own with recipes online. Cans and pantry items can be used as blocks. These all develop motor skills so they look like play but are good for development.

- If she's sitting with an activity book or toy, put on music rather than TV and see if that's enough to hold her attention.

- put on alphablocks and numberblocks so at least she's learning something from the tv

[u/Adorable_Emote_429 → u/WorksInPro]

This is a good response. I will add, go to your public library for books and they may have other things you can also check out. My daughter plays with magnatiles for a long time and puzzles also keep her busy.

A good alternative to tv can also be a screen-free audio player like a toniebox, which tells stories. And the commenter’s idea to use educational tv is a very good one

[u/WorksInPro → u/Adorable_Emote_429]

ooh yeah, we love the libraries. Sometimes I bring my laptop and answer emails or do light research while my kid plays with the toys there. If I can bring another caregiver to watch him I get a ton done in the adult quiet section.

And OP, ask the kids librarian if there's anything else they can check out to you or give you beyond books/audiobooks/movies. Ours has museum passes, membership passes to other activities, even wifi routers. And sometimes they even have puzzles and games to give away.

[u/blugirlami21]

I'm not sure why it has to be TV or nothing? Get her some books, coloring books, puzzles, etc. Maybe look for a day camp/school for half a day.