Childproofing HELP!!!

Hi B. -

We had 3 children in under 3 years and never "baby proofed" anything in our 2 story house. When the baby started going up the stairs, we showed her how to do it safely and then set the limit that she had to get a grown up to do it with her. We put the trash in the cabinet and gave her trash to throw away so she understood that it had a purpose. We kept lids down on the toilet and made the bathroom a no play zone. We also put their cups, bowls, snacks and milk at their level so that they could help themselves. We went with the idea that not everyone had a child proof house and we wanted our children to be able to go into any place and be respectful of the boundaries. I had so many friend that locked everything and put everything up and those kids couldn't be taken anywhere because they would touch everything in other people's homes.

I hope this doesn't come off as harsh but, this is the time to start with discipline by setting limits and boundaries. Children don't learn by being gated and locked out of places. They need to know that they have parents that will tell them what is acceptable and that there are consequences for doing things that are unacceptable. Yes, even at 15 months. It was definitely more work to be everywhere my child was in order to keep them safe at different stages, but it has absolutely paid off. They are self sufficient, well mannered, inquisitive, and fun loving 3, 5, and 6 year olds that can go anywhere with out worry.

Good luck to you, keep loving Isaac. Everyday is a gift to be treasured!

2 moms found this helpful

B.,

I keep my bathroom doors closed. That works better than any toilet lock invented. Since I also have a 4 y.o. with autism, I can't make it too complicated to get to the toilet.

As far as trash cans, if there is a solution, I haven't found it. You could probably use a refrigerator lock on it. Setting it on a chair is definitely a good solution. Fortunately these things pass pretty quickly. It won't be very long and he'll be over the trash can and into the next thing (like trying to insert things into the electrical outlets or throwing things into the toilet or trying to stuff things into the VCR or DVD player).

Just in general, out of sight and out of reach are probably your best options when ever possible. Nothing is childproof, at best it is child resistant but with enough time and effort, my kids can break through anything so I watch them constantly.

Good luck!
T.
(exhaused mommy of 2 curious boys LOL)

1 mom found this helpful

We bought an appliance latch and put it on our trashcan. It keeps the kids out and is not to difficult for the adults to open.
C.

1 mom found this helpful

I gotta agree with Jeney here ! Nothing negative intended, we have 4 kids. The last 2 are boys ages 2 yrs and 3 yrs.

Fortunately, I have no problems with toilet or trash can, I can only recall, if they even tried, I have a jingle "No ! No ! Yucky Yucky Poo Poo ! " It would make them laugh, but learn at the same time. So, the kids relate to trash or anything dirty by saying "Yucky Yucky Poo Poo !" My older girls join in the singing to help with the learning mode as well.

And as Jeney mentioned, keep "their things" at their level. Kids have a shelf in the pantry with snacks they can help themselves to. And the same for their dishes and cups, bottom level of cupboard, so they can help me set the table at mealtime.

Enjoy those growning years !! '-)

1 mom found this helpful

Keep the tras in the garange. Keep the bathroom door closed.

1 mom found this helpful

We just kept out trash can in the pantry during this phase and as for the toilets, my kids didn't play with them. But I also kept the bathroom doors closed. If your child can open the bathroom door then get a child proofed knob for the handle.

M.