Child Proofing My Kichen - Help!

MOM,

I Don't use any cabinette locks, i simply teach my kids NO

If he gets in there say NO, and then pop him in the high chair,

OR playpen, or stroller, or anything he can't get out of,

When your cooking put him in his chair, and give him a snack

When your doing laundry, PLaypen

When your outside working Stroller

When you need 5 minutes to your self a little chair

USe his crib strictly for napping.

Believe me, its not easy but they get the message, just be firm.

M

Put a gate in front of the kitchen door until he is old enough not to get hurt in there. If you son is like my daughter he will figure out every single childproofing device and contraption you come home with. I started coming down on my daughter very hard with what she could and couldn't touch, and with trial and error she's now an angel in teh kitchen.(Well 90% of the time ;))

I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!
MY 19-month old loves to throw the items in my snack drawer! MY problem is that since we have a new home, my husband doesn't wnt to drill holes in the cabinetry!!!
My friend bought a magnetic "lock" at BABIES R US that is great! The only thing is you need to be sure you know where the piece is that you hold to open the cabinet. I trend to lose things so that didnt work for me!!
I bought a cabinet lock at BABIES R US that simply wraps around the outside of the cabinet handles and tightens/loosens with a pull. They were inexpensive and work!! NO drilling required!
As far as the oven goes, my old oven had knobs tat could be removed or we bought covers for the dials. MY new oven dials are too fat for the covers so I have a probelm there. Luckily, my daughters keep him occupied when the oven/stove is on!
Anyway, I hope I helped you a little!!

Hi,
We did two things. First, we wrapped heavy duty elastics around the two handles or knobs on the cabinets with dangerous items.
Second, we emptied one of the floor cabinets and put things he/she could play with; plastic containers (empty with covers), pots and wooden spoons, some empty food boxes (cereal etc) so they had a cabinet that was for them.
Kids want to be in the kitchen. They want to play where you are. Our kids loved it and we reminded them gently but without argument when they ventured into a cabinet that was NOT theirs.
Good luck !

As to the stove, all I can think of is you just have to drum it into his head everytime you go into the kitchen. Point to the stove and say "HOT! DANGERIOUS! DON'T Touch! BIG BOO BOO!" And I mean everytime weither the stove is on or not. Make him think it is HOT 100% of the time. If he see's your husband or yourself working at the stove, make it a point of saying stuff like "Boy is that hot!" etc. Then point to it and ask him what is that? He should respond "Hot first, then stove" Hot is the more important word.

As to the cabinets. ALL chemicals and cleaning supplies HIGH. A must if you haven't already done that or put them in a locked box in the pantry or a closet. He is a smart kid and will find a way to them. Pots and pans low. Paper supplies low. In general anything unbreakable is low.

If the locks are difficult to install or will ruin your cabinets. You could try long twist ties like on bread. Make sure that you block his vision with your body when you untwist them. Or this would be tricky to get right, but could work. Get a strong piece of string. Tie it tight to the left knob if you are right handed. Then you will need to make a loop with a knot just close enough that you can slip the loop over the knob.

If you have handled instead of knobs you will have to try the twist ties. These are the best things I can think of off the top of my head. It has been 18 years since my last baby so I do not know what is new on the market. Maybe some younger Moms will have products to suggest.

90% of parenting is praying that you can stay one step ahead of them at all times. 3 steps in some cases. Good luck