Need some ideas for redirecting 8 month old

This will sound backwards, and if someone had told me this before I had my second child, I would have laughed at them.

My youngest didn't do well with babyproofing. I have a lovely picture of a child who could barely walk climbing over gates, taking out safety plugs, removing whatever I put down. His favorite game was taking apart the vacuum cleaner. Every piece he could manage to take off, he did. So....I had 30 pieces and a slightly dirty carpet.

The absolute best method I found for dealing with this was not redirection, but watching. If he wanted to explore the drawers, I sat down with him to help stack stuff and put it back when he was done. It also gave me a chance to remove anything dangerous/inappropriate. If he wanted to touch something, I was right there to help guide his hands and show him how. It got to the point where he came and got me first so we could do it together. There are so few things down at a child's level that really are dangerous to touch so this method worked out well for us - and gave him another way to trust me. It also took away some of the mystique. Something forbidden is intriguing - the curiousity wasn't fully satisfied. But if they're allowed to find out it's just a bunch of papers or nothing fun at all, it's messed with less. And the stuff that they do keep going back to you can make a decision on - is it okay? Not okay? How can I give him the same type of stimulation with something more suited to his needs?

My similar nearly 10 month old comes to the bathroom with me. I have a box full of stuff in there that is safe, which is usually enough time for me to do what I have to do. As for cooking ... I plop him on the floor in the kitchen and allow him to explore lower cabinets that have "safe" stuff in them (measuring cups, whisks, spoons, plastic containers, pots and pans, etc.). Sometimes I throw something fun and different in there to keep the suspense alive. His current, favorite obsession is the salad spinner. He knows how to take it apart, put it back together, and spin it. I've been known to throw the lettuce leaves in there, put it on the floor, and let him go to town. Then he'll take the leaves out and put them in a bowl (sort of). So I sometimes have to wash the lettuce twice. At least he's happy for a few minutes so I can chop an onion or something!

BTW, my 3.5 year old was never like this. We never had to babyproof more than a few outlets. This is SO different. However, when he was old enough to climb safely on a stool, he started to "help" me. Getting them involved is the best way to keep them out of trouble.

I did, and do, allow my kids out of my sight briefly even at that young age. It's not always practical (or fair!) to have to poop, pee, eat, sleep and breathe in the same space as your child, especially if they really need the room themselves. Your use of a safe space is appropriate as long as it's truly safe, an you might just have to rig up some homemade devices as she gets more creative.

I've proofed my kitchen for my toddler and the boy I babysit. NOTHING breakable or poisonous in the low cabinets, the stove and frig are gated off and there's nothing under the sink at all. Doorknob locks on all rooms we need to deny access (bathroom, exterior doors, etc.), and all cleaners and other odd things on a shelf above the washing machine that even I have to use a chair to reach.

She's so young yet, just make it as safe as you can and let her have at it!