An idea hits me with the *smack* of a 2x4

Or, My New Plan.

This clearly is not working. AJ's wailing through the monitor to let me know he Wants with a capital W, my Puh-Deeeeewwwwwww (computer). He alternates pitiful sobs with "Puhdeeeeewwww" and "Bye-byyyyyye?" Because I told him the puhdew was going bye-bye, and he was going to nap. So heartbreakingly cute. And yet, so everything opposite of cute.

I think the kitchen table arrangement is going to have to end forever. And it should have ended a long time ago, but I am too dense started working at home with him when he was 6 months old, and he'd bounce happily in his bouncy seat next to me, on the table, while I tappety-tapped on the keyboard. Then I'd switch him to the Exer-saucer and back, and he remained a happy camper. And I never thought that our location was going to cause problems as he got older. No matter that I didn't have a real "office" space in my house; this worked fine. And I let it become my routine. Well, now we have a whole nother story.

I'm going to admit something -- I only use my baby gates (portable ones, not hard-mounted) at the staircases. I don't ever "gate" baby in, just to keep him contained. For me the gates were a critical measure of safety, but I didn't like the idea of building a "pen" where Baby would be "imprisoned." Silly Idealist Mommy. After these last two days (plus some months) of the whining and screaming, I think I'm going to try it. How many of you mommies out there do this? The baby-gate box shows a mommy who's perfectly happy to have her kids cordonned off, so that she can go about her day -- maybe it works?

I'm thinking I will position our 2 gates, 1 at the top of the stairs, obviously, and the other in the doorway to my bedroom. There's a tabletop in my room where I can set the laptop, and if I position it just right, he may not even see me using it (that is the goal, because if he does see it, he'll just whine at the gate and I've gained nothing). This leaves him his entire room, his bathroom, the guest room, and the area in front of my room which has a nice bookcase for him to destroy explore. I have also been thinking lately that I play too closely with AJ. I need to try and wean him of the habit of having me Right There next to him, on the floor at all times. He can be in one room while I'm in another, right? (Sheesh, when I put it out there on paper it makes me feel an awful lot like I spoil him. I have never intended to.)

Do you think this might work? I'll totally go over the gate and play with him or rescue him, whenever. And I don't mean this is how we'll spend our entire day. It's just that he'll be kept away from the temptation that is the computer. I think leaving it out, where he can see it, is teasing him. "Mommy can use the computer any time, but you can't." Not that I think kids should be sheltered from the word "No," mind you. Or that kids should ever be given open access -- there are obviously things that are just for grown-ups. But this way seems a kinder approach. If it works everyone will be happier. And he'll grow up independent and self-assured and content. Right? :) We'll test it next Monday and see. (Of course I realize there will be somewhat of a learning period to get used to the arrangement.)

I am open to your suggestions.