Your little playmate
As they get older, your little one will grow to play more & more independently (& you'll get longer stretches of time for yourself). But for now: a realistic amount of time for 2-year-olds to entertain themselves is just around 4 minutes. On her podcast, clinical psychologist Dr. Becky discusses how to encourage your child to play alone—& feel less guilty about not wanting to join in. To help you get started, we've also rounded up our favorite toys for independent play.
Independent play guide→
Birthday planning!
If you’re planning a party for your almost-three-year-old, here’s how to use Babylist to create a birthday wish list. And if you’re already working on the invitations, this viral example is inspiring→
How to create a reading nook
If you're interested in carving out a space for them to curl up with their favorite books, start here. (It could be the best birthday present ever?)
Editors' picks:
Affordable gifts
Speaking of birthdays, these under-$30 finds are a ton of fun.
See them all→