by Phyllis Twombly

Created on: June 06, 2009

Playpens become too confining when they're used to restrain a child. While many children are content to amuse themselves for a few hours, others are basically under house arrest. The worst example I saw of this was when I was asked to babysit one little boy in the neighborhood. I had no idea what I was walking into.

Let's call him Pete. He was little more than a baby. His dad worked outside the home. I'm not sure if his mom had a job but I think she was more the stay-at-home type.

Pete was learning how to talk. He knew one word. "Mommy!" That was it. He knew it very well and used it non-stop. At one point I asked him if he knew any other words at all; "Daddy," for example. He paused his one word monologue and looked at me as if I was crazy. He had a one track mind, which I blamed on his environment.

Pete was in his playpen when I arrived. His mother showed me where all the baby things were and told me his bedtime. Then she and her husband dashed out the door.

I was amazed at how many expensive looking and highly breakable glass and crystal ornaments adorned the entire living room and kitchen. Shelves, counter tops, and coffee tables were completely occupied. My first thought was how well behaved Pete must be since his parents left all these shiny objects within easy reach. It didn't occur to me the boy was denied freedom of movement in his own home.

The truth became apparent the moment I took Pete out of his playpen. He let out a squeal of delight and headed for the nearest shiny object. Something about the way he moved immediately informed me that he had no experience handling fragile items. I quickly picked him up and placed him a few feet away. Quick little rascal that he was, he proceeded to go for the next nearest bauble. I snagged him again and placed him in a new location.

It was no use. No matter where I put the boy down there were shiny breakable items nearby. In desperation I placed him back in his playpen. He didn't even seem surprised, perhaps just a bit disappointed that this wonderful new game was over.

The experience disturbed me deeply. I had grown up as the youngest, the only girl in a houseful of boys. Everything fragile was either in safe storage or had been dispatched long before I arrived. My own experience indicated parents should care more for their children than other breakables.

I nearly turned down the second request to watch Pete. This time I moved the nearest knickknacks to a safer location. Pete still tried to explore his environment enough to grab shiny stuff, but everything survived. I explained the decor changes when his parents came home that night. I don't know if it made any impact on them. They moved away shortly after.

Pete would be a young man by now. I doubt he'll ever allow his own children to see a playpen.

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