"But we can't put up a Christmas tree because the kids would get into it."

  So many times i hear parents tell me that they can't put up a Christmas tree or play board games, whatever, because the kids would make a mess of it. 

  It does take creativity, and God knows i'm not always up to it myself. But it's important to stretch yourself and your kids, because if you don't take the time & effort now, it may or may not be easier when they're bigger.  

i think i got the ideas shown in the photos

from LaLeche League when i was hanging out with them, but it's been so long i no longer know.  (They have tons of good parenting mentoring as well as the nursing help, fyi.)

The first thing is, if you're worried about kids in the tree, don't even think about getting out breakables & precious stuff.  Save them for later years.  Stuffed animals that only come out at Christmas are wonder-full.  Getting into the tree is still forbidden, but kids are kids.  If they can't keep to the rules, Mom isn't going to freak. The penguin is still an annual tradition.

Putting a smaller tree on a table or shelf is helpful with little kids or dogs.  If you've got kittens, i don't think there IS any help!

A friend loaned us her playpen to put the tree in.  It really helped. 

But we still didn't get out the breakables until Max was about 5 years old.  Losable stuff, because we knew something WOULD be broken, and it was, but it was a mess and we didn't mind.  The kids learned about breaking stuff.  The precious stuff didn't come out for another 5 or 7 years.  There's time.  Don't rush it.

  

  Anyone have somethng to add that's worked for you?