Children this age cannot be expected to entertain themselves for long periods of time. How many hours do you work? She is only 17 months. Next, the terrible 2's will start to emerge...and this will bring on another set of scenarios to manage.
Is it possible for you to get a babysitter/Nanny for those 3 days you need to work at home???
She is not a little adult, and children this age don't even have impulse control yet. Although they manage, children need some sort of supervision, for safety sake. She will get more mobile and do more things and need more as she hits 2 years old and thereafter.
I know it's not easy... with Work at home moms, this is what we contend with. Me, I work or do my own things when my boy is napping, like now, or at night once he and my girl are sleeping. Then I'm all his when he wakes up. He's 20 months and very active, so this is what I do. It's a lot of juggling.
There can be toys all over the place and things for them to do...but they will not be entirely self-directed at this age. Even when they are older. They will get "bored" and need interaction.
The only thing that can help, is having an extra body and extra pair of hands in the house when you need to work. My friend got a Nanny for this reason as well. She works out of the home too.
Good luck and take care,
~Susan
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