debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 11, 2019 18:21:08 GMT -5
Such wonderful news WholeLottaNothin!!! I am so sorry you had to be this stressed for so long, but I am thrilled that it is good news!
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chapeau
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Post by chapeau on Jan 11, 2019 18:22:38 GMT -5
My mom and dad had DD a lot when she was a baby. We gave them locks for a couple of kitchen cabinets (we had tons) and a cover for the doorknob to the basement stairs. Which DD could get open fairly easily and my moms older, slightly arthritic fingers could not, so it was pitched pretty quickly. Just locking that door and keeping a nail handy on the other side for when someone was accidentally locked down there was better. I bought 2 super yards, because both my parents and I have old houses and there was no way to put a gate at the top or bottom of the stairs. One super yard stayed at my in-laws (who did not baby proof at all) so she had a safe place to play. We split the other one up into 3 sets of 2 sections each. We put two sections at both the top and bottom of our stairs and gave the third set to my parents for the bottom of their stair case. DD of course learned to climb up the outside of the staircase. She couldn’t climb over the banister, but she gave me several heart attacks doing that. Little monkey.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jan 11, 2019 18:26:39 GMT -5
I'd be ok with the stair thing if the main living areas are on the ground floor. They absolutely are. The only things upstairs are Baby's Aunt's and Uncle's bedrooms and our bedroom. Also I can tie ropes around the banisters to prevent small people from going up. Didn't do it this trip because I knew stairs were an issue and I had the time/patience to try to teach Baby! how to negotiate stairs safely. Will definitely look into stair guards for the future since that seems important to several of you. ETA: We do not keep Baby! overnight without his parents because they live in Boston, and we live in a suburb of Paris. So when they visit, they all visit together. We do babysit Baby! for hours at a time either during the day or at night but we never have him overnight or for days since they all live in the US.
The stair guards are more so the kiddos can't sneak up or down them without you knowing. My nieces were butt scooting up and down really young - but you still wanted someone near in case they toppled. And I did catch them once or twice! I'd also say the level of proofing might be to how big the space is. My parent's place is large enough that there's a big space that the girls can have pretty much free reign of that's separate enough from the bathroom and kitchen that as long as they're in the "play" areas you don't have to be totally on guard. So their kitchen and bathroom is not totally childproof, but right now the girls are followed by an adult if they walk that way. A cousin just baby gated off her kitchen to keep the kiddos in the safe area and not have to put locks on all the kitchen stuff.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 11, 2019 18:26:43 GMT -5
I don't think I can handle the idea of ropes to keep a kid from falling through a banister.Rest assured raeoflyte , me neither. The ropes/scarves would prevent Baby from going UP the stairs, and NOT (Gd forbid) from falling DOWN the stairs. I used to tie ropes/scarves onto the banisters (on the ground floor) when I didn't want kids trashing DD's or DS3's upstairs bedrooms when they were younger during their birthday parties when we had a ton of kids in the house.
To be clear, LR/DR/kitchen/Baby's/his parents' bedroom are all DOWNSTAIRS, on the ground floor. The only upstairs rooms are other bedrooms: DS3's (his uncle's), DD's (his aunt's) and ours. This said, I got the info I was asking for. I will check to see whether we still have our old stair gates in the basement. If not, I will buy another set before their next visit. ETA: In case it wasn't clear, Baby! and his parents sleep DOWNSTAIRS.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jan 11, 2019 18:35:19 GMT -5
I had the ultrasound on my breast today. It was only a cyst. I am so relieved. I am hoping for a much more calm year this year. Fantastic news! It was in November that I had to do the ultrasound and got the same result.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 18:55:22 GMT -5
Well, Ex 2.0 is obviously quite pissed off at me judging by how he acted when I dropped Carrot off tonight. He wouldn't even come all the way out to the van to get him like he normally does. Just stood on the porch. I haven't had any texts from him after the initial short back and forth about meeting with his brother when I told him I wouldn't if it was about him getting weeknights, so maybe he's moved right on into filing for a change in parenting time.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jan 11, 2019 18:57:20 GMT -5
Stairs and cabinet under the sink was the only babyproofing we did.
We have a latch on the basement door too high for little fingers even on chairs at the time. That blocked access to the stairs.
I would not be okay with rope and assurances you'd teach my kid how to use stairs Sorry. No matter how much you teach a kid they are clumsy and constantly do stupid stuff. It only takes a second.
Gates are very cheap and easy to put up and take down.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 11, 2019 19:03:24 GMT -5
Well, I DID teach Baby! how to use stairs, and both parents were thrilled about it.
But, point taken. Like I said, I will check to see whether we still have our stair gate before their next visit, or buy another one if we don't.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 11, 2019 19:08:42 GMT -5
minnesotapaintlady I wrote a long post about this and then ended up deleting it. When my DS2 (now 30) was 10 I decided to let him live with his Dad FT. DS2 had been HOWLING about living with his dad since his Dad left when he was 4. His dad kept telling him that when he was 12, he could go in front of the judge and tell the judge that he'd rather be with him. I did not want my DS2 to have to go in front of a judge and tell a judge that he preferred to live with one parent rather than the other. BUT, since his DAD wanted the change in custody, his Dad paid for his lawyer (to represent him) AND MY LAWYER (to represent me). I would tell your ex that you need him to pay for your lawyer too, since the custody change is HIS request, and not yours. Otherwise, as others have said, you're going to have to poney up money and fight it. Long story short, DS2 came home a year later. Ex paid for that custody change too (but only one lawyer that time since I agreed I didn't need my own representation the second time, since DS2 was coming home to me.) Also, you say your Ex's mental health issues wouldn't be an issue anymore because they are 5 years old. That's not your call ... tell the judge EVERYTHING, and let the judge decide.
Many hugs to you. Trust me, I know this is not easy.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jan 11, 2019 19:14:06 GMT -5
Question, Ladies ... how child-proof is your parents' (ie the grandparents') home? I find it hilarious that DH and I are planning to REpurchase child safety locks. Not for everywhere, but certainly for the cabinet under the sink where we keep our cleaning products. I know we can move them elsewhere, but DS1/DDIL/Baby! live abroad and only spend a few weeks a year here. Baby! emptied pasta/cocoa/plenty of other things but we finally figured out a way to tie up the pantry cabinets. We CANNOT tie up the cleaning products cabinet. Also, at 18 months Baby! is never alone but I know he could be alone in future as he gets older. Over Christmas DS1 (Baby!'s dad) asked us to put the stair guards back on. We declined (not sure we even have them anymore, but even if we do, it's nyet).
Baby! is 18 months now, but Gd willing there will be other grandchildren in the future.
Just curious to know what other grandparents do. What's hilarious about that? I thought everyone did that and I have safety locks all over the place and those outlet covers so the little guys can't test them out with a screwdriver
ETA: no gates since I don't have stairs in my condo
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 11, 2019 19:20:15 GMT -5
NastyWoman I guess we thought it was hilarious because we have 4 children and the oldest and youngest are nearly 12 years apart. So when we replaced the kitchen 2.5 years ago (before DDIL and DS1 were married, let alone pregnant) we stupidly thought, woo hoo, no more child safety latches!!! We can finally chuck them all out! I guess I'm just stupid.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jan 11, 2019 19:23:17 GMT -5
NastyWoman I guess we thought it was hilarious because we have 4 children and the oldest and youngest are nearly 12 years apart. So when we replaced the kitchen 2.5 years ago (before DDIL and DS1 were married, let alone pregnant) we stupidly thought, woo hoo, no more child safety latches!!! So I guess I'm just stupid. Nope, you just forgot and that is easy to do
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 11, 2019 19:34:02 GMT -5
I've just ordered a pack of 10 child safety locks from Amazon. Will put one on the sink cabinet as soon as they arrive. Not doing outlet/plug covers, I never did that with my own kids. As I said, I will check to see if we kept our old stair gate or not. No rush for that.
Thanks for all your comments/help! ETA: NastyWoman maybe 'everyone does', but we are amongst the first of our friends to have grandchildren, that's why I felt the need to ask. Obviously, I want my kids to be comfortable here. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered to ask what other grandparents do.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jan 11, 2019 19:46:01 GMT -5
I've just ordered a pack of 10 child safety locks from Amazon. Will put one on the sink cabinet as soon as they arrive. Not doing outlet/plug covers, I never did that with my own kids. As I said, I will check to see if we kept our old stair gate or not. No rush for that.
Thanks for all your comments/help! ETA: NastyWoman maybe 'everyone does', but we are amongst the first of our friends to have grandchildren, that's why I felt the need to ask. Without outlet/plug covers my kids probably would not have made it to adulthood and that may also be the reason that I childproofed my home after DGS1 was born → he is the son of my most adventurous one after all and now he has a brother!
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Jan 11, 2019 19:50:55 GMT -5
That's one thing my kids never got into. They chose to destroy electronics instead.
My fault for telling DS1 and DS2 there were TEENY TINY MINI MUSICIANS in the speakers. They wanted to see them LOL.
DH was apopolectic but the speakers were purchased by my ex. DH paid to have the speakers rebuilt (at great expense) LOL.
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chapeau
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Post by chapeau on Jan 11, 2019 19:53:14 GMT -5
I've just ordered a pack of 10 child safety locks from Amazon. Will put one on the sink cabinet as soon as they arrive. Not doing outlet/plug covers, I never did that with my own kids. As I said, I will check to see if we kept our old stair gate or not. No rush for that.
Thanks for all your comments/help! ETA: NastyWoman maybe 'everyone does', but we are amongst the first of our friends to have grandchildren, that's why I felt the need to ask. Without outlet/plug covers my kids probably would not have made it to adulthood and that may also be the reason that I childproofed my home after DGS1 was born → he is the son of my most adventurous one after all and now he has a brother! I used a couple of the outlet covers, but strategic furniture placement worked too. One easy chair has never been moved back to a view of the tv-it makes a great reading chair. There aren’t a ton of outlets in our house, though. Some days that’s ok.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 19:56:45 GMT -5
The only baby proofing I did with my children and grandchildren was to cover electrical sockets. My family members didn't even do that as far as I know, and they still kept my kids for me. My house has always been kid friendly for the most part, so besides the obvious things like keeping sharp or dangerous objects out of reach throughout the house, I just try to keep an eye on my grandkids and teach them.
The 4yo girl is the daredevil and we still have to be mindful of the fact that she'll put anything in her mouth. I've said before how creeped out and afraid of bugs I am, so imagine my horror the day my granddaughter turned around and had a huge bug in her mouth. Luckily her Mom was here too because I'm not sure I could have handled that without passing out.
My Mom was the only person that ever kept my kids and had stairs. She lived in a townhouse for a few years when they were small. When my son was about 3yo he actually climbed over the short wall upstairs and was dangling by his hands and whispering "help me" when my Mom or her roommate (I can't remember which one) saw him. Fortunately, he didn't let go before they got to him. This is the child I started calling "Dennis the Menace" because he was always doing crazy stuff. Looking back, it's kind of amazing he made it to adulthood without serious injury, not even a broken bone.
When my granddaughter the daredevil was about 2yo she took off while my daughter was locking the door to their 2nd floor apartment and she fell down the concrete stairs. When my daughter got to her, my granddaughter was excited and laughing like she'd just had a great adventure. She might be even worse than my son was.
I think it's wise to use common sense when children are around, but I also think the best baby proofing is adult eyes. A combination of both is ideal since even the most attentive caregiver has to blink and sometimes it seems like that fraction of a second is all the time a toddler needs.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Jan 11, 2019 20:15:02 GMT -5
When I dog sat, my sister brought a baby gate so the tiny dog wouldn't go to the basement. It was the spring loaded kind so no tools needed. I thought it was funny.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jan 11, 2019 20:45:28 GMT -5
We tried socket covers and my kids were MORE interested in them. Gwen figured out how to get them off and not only that, she taught several of her daycare classmates how to remove them too. Took the covers off, lost all interest.
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azucena
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Post by azucena on Jan 11, 2019 21:44:46 GMT -5
My kids may be spending the night at school. Stl forecast was 4 to 10 inches of early evening snow. Snow didn't start until sometime after 1. I was working on a huge project due today and figured I would leave when school dismissed early. At 215, Dh texted that it was snowing hard and he could leave so he was going to pick up girls and I should go too. I got in my car at 230. School sent an email (not their typical text) at 220 that neither of us saw that said we aren't closing early but we highly encourage you to come pick up now. There were 2 to 4 inches down depending where you were. 50 mins later I had only gotten 2 miles down the interstate with 5 more towards home or 9 (gps 45 mins) to school. Meanwhile dh had taken a different route and gps said 30 mins to school so I headed home and he kept going towards school.
Ended up taking me 2 hrs 15 mins to get home. And dh made it to within a half mile of school at 630 and his highlander was stuck on an incline along with several other cars. A group of guys pushed him out but that road closed due to more inclines so he had to circle around and at 730 got stuck on another incline about a mile from school in a different direction.
Meanwhile at 8 it stopped snowing and we have 10 to 12 inches. The husband of the teacher who stayed with my kids (everyone else was picked up by 530, no idea how that was possible) came to pick up his wife with his 4 by 4 truck because they live an hour away on a summer day. Truck guy is supposed to be within minutes of getting to my husband to either move highlander or just rescue dh. At this point, the plan is to get dh to the school and then I'm firmly saying the 3 of them sleep there where they are safe, warm, and have food. Unclear if teacher and truck guy still want to go home. Debate if they should try to get everyone here but I can see one of the major roads out my window that cars haven't moved at all in 15 mins and then I got tired of watching. And even if his truck handles the snow - it's carmaggedon out there with so many vehicles stuck and not enough help.
Heck, I didn't make it up the last hill so I parked 3 blocks away and hoofed it. I've been watching the news and can see handfuls of folks doing the same thing in all 4 directions. It's eerie.
Meanwhile my girls seem to be doing ok. They've been coloring, watching a movie, etc. I'm glad they are together (10 and 6).
And I've spoken to the principal twice and she feels awful and even offered to try to get back to the school which is a nice offer but not practical. And dh says if we have to sleep at the school, I'd rather not have principal supervising lol.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Jan 11, 2019 22:42:16 GMT -5
Holy crap azucena! I hope everyone is safe if not home and safe. Not thinking my kids would be very chill about that but so glad your dh can get to them.
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finnime
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Post by finnime on Jan 11, 2019 22:42:18 GMT -5
Wow, azucena, Glad everyone is safe, but what a wild afternoon and evening all within a few miles of home. Hope your DH and DDs get good sleep wherever they be tonight.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 11, 2019 23:34:36 GMT -5
I'd be ok with the stair thing if the main living areas are on the ground floor. They absolutely are. The only things upstairs are Baby's Aunt's and Uncle's bedrooms and our bedroom. Also I can tie ropes around the banisters to prevent small people from going up. Didn't do it this trip because I knew stairs were an issue and I had the time/patience to try to teach Baby! how to negotiate stairs safely. Will definitely look into stair guards for the future since that seems important to several of you. ETA: We do not keep Baby! overnight without his parents because they live in Boston, and we live in a suburb of Paris. So when they visit, they all visit together. We do babysit Baby! for hours at a time either during the day or at night but we never have him overnight or for days since they all live in the US.
So in some ways as a parent it is worse to go to someone's house and suddenly you have to be more vigilant than usual. So not only so you have the stress of travel, but the stress of a house that you didn't babyproof and you don't know what kind of trouble your kid can get into. It is always when there is a group of adults that kids in our family have gotten into bad situations because the parents relax because someone else is watching the kid...but then no one is watching the kid. N fell down steps at my Aunt and Uncle's house at 18 months, V ran after the dogs to the state highway at 3 at my parents house, etc.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jan 11, 2019 23:35:17 GMT -5
Azucena - OMG. Stay safe. Yikes!
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Jan 12, 2019 0:28:18 GMT -5
I'd be ok with the stair thing if the main living areas are on the ground floor. They absolutely are. The only things upstairs are Baby's Aunt's and Uncle's bedrooms and our bedroom. Also I can tie ropes around the banisters to prevent small people from going up. Didn't do it this trip because I knew stairs were an issue and I had the time/patience to try to teach Baby! how to negotiate stairs safely. Will definitely look into stair guards for the future since that seems important to several of you. ETA: We do not keep Baby! overnight without his parents because they live in Boston, and we live in a suburb of Paris. So when they visit, they all visit together. We do babysit Baby! for hours at a time either during the day or at night but we never have him overnight or for days since they all live in the US.
So in some ways as a parent it is worse to go to someone's house and suddenly you have to be more vigilant than usual. So not only so you have the stress of travel, but the stress of a house that you didn't babyproof and you don't know what kind of trouble your kid can get into. It is always when there is a group of adults that kids in our family have gotten into bad situations because the parents relax because someone else is watching the kid...but then no one is watching the kid. N fell down steps at my Aunt and Uncle's house at 18 months, V ran after the dogs to the state highway at 3 at my parents house, etc. This is so true. I try to make a verbal hand off of who is actually in charge on the child(ren) but it is really easy to miss.
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Sam_2.0
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Post by Sam_2.0 on Jan 12, 2019 0:31:45 GMT -5
Yikes, azucena! Those girls are going to have quite the memorable story its hitting us here too but nothing like that.
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Works4me
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Post by Works4me on Jan 12, 2019 3:12:04 GMT -5
We're getting tons of rain here on the Central Coast which is badly needed.
My dog loves it and loves getting wet - he's half Maltese and half Norwich Terrier, a real Nortese Terrorist. I've been letting him dry naturally so he looks like he had a bad perm - groomers next week but he's cute this way too.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jan 12, 2019 5:03:41 GMT -5
Yikes, azucena!! Stay safe!
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jan 12, 2019 5:06:25 GMT -5
Nothing like an o-dark thirty wake up call for a puking toddler...on you and all over your bed. Get both of us cleaned up and showered while DH changes sheets, and get the washing machine going...and she does it again. This time it was just her and the carpet, at least. Clean her up and change her again, and we get one more round, this time on her and DH. Now she’s finally back asleep in the recliner with me holding her. I’ve got an old blanket under us, and old towels and blankets handy in case round 4 comes along. But poor baby. And I’m supposed to fly to Atlanta on Sunday. Hoping this is a quick bug.
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tcu2003
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Post by tcu2003 on Jan 12, 2019 5:42:14 GMT -5
Spoke too soon as round 4 arrived shortly after my previous post.
And this is apparently why we have so many PJs.
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