Mornings can be busy as there are many jobs that need doing at the start of our day.

Once breakfast and our morning routine was finished (i.e. getting dressed, brushing teeth, making beds), I would always give my younger children some time in the play pen and my toddler some “room time”.

Basically this means giving your children a few special toys and books they can sit and play with in a safe place. This was really important for me as I had things I needed to get done, like take a shower, put the washing on, get my husband and other children out the door.

I needed to know that while I was distracted, my little ones would be safe. Knowing they were in the play pen or their room, gave me the freedom to do my morning routine without worrying about what they were up to.

It also served a greater purpose in that they learnt how to play on their own and be content for a time without me — a skill which I found invaluable at other times of the day when I couldn’t give them my undivided attention.

What started as a safety issue, soon became a valuable and fun part of our day.