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Grex > Parenting > #60: Help preventing house-damage by visiting baby? | |
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popcorn
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Help preventing house-damage by visiting baby?
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Dec 22 14:39 UTC 1994 |
This item has been erased.
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| 9 responses total. |
chelsea
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response 1 of 9:
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Dec 23 01:50 UTC 1994 |
Mom is going to have to keep a close eye on the child, there is
no other way. During the sleeping hours I'd beg, borrow, or steal
a playpen to keep the baby confined (and safe). I'd also borrow a
gate (the expand to fit without permanent installation needed type)
to put at the top of your stairwell. And if you need a few toys
appropriate for that age I have a few that would help for a little
while. ;-)
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simcha
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response 2 of 9:
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Dec 23 14:59 UTC 1994 |
It all depends on what you know about the Mom and her personality.
If she is generally laissez-faire about life, you may have cause
to worry; if she is a meticulous type, her idea of watching may
be just fine to keep you comfortable.
If you have old pots and pans, wooden spoons, measuring
cups and plastic storage containers, you have all the
toys a 19-month old needs.
Contrary to Mary (sorry) I strongly recommend against
the gate at the top of the stairs. If it isn't securely
screwed into the wall there, a 19-month old has enough
strength or body weight to knock the gate over and fall down the
steps, especially if angry about where she is.
When Mom is watching the baby, your greatest risk might be
damage from rubbing a runny nose along the upholstery, dirty
hands, etc. Specify furniture that's off limits, or rooms, and
be very honest about what you really care about "She can
play in there after she wshes hands because I can't clean it
easily."
I have 3, youngest is now 2. My folks have irreplaceable
antiques and artifacts and insist I learned the power of NO!
so my kids should too. They refuse to baby-proof at all.
I get tense occasionally (runny nose near the silk upholstery)
but we have survive a decad with no serious damage.
Look around your home and ask yourself what is irreplaceable
as opposed to costly but replaceable (e.g., computer or VCR).
If anything is absolutely irreplaceable, remove it if you can.
Otherwise, just take lots of deep breaths.
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kami
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response 3 of 9:
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Dec 24 01:09 UTC 1994 |
I think I have a spare gate, I'm not sure. I know I have a seat that
clips to the table for meals and a porta-crib which I may or may not
need that night. And since we'll probably stop by your place earlier
in the evening (we are still welcome?), the boys and I can help keep
the little critter happy until bedtime. Good luck! It'll help
you remember why you aren't in any hurry to have kids of your own...<g>
Cheers!
Kami
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gracel
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response 4 of 9:
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Dec 28 04:18 UTC 1994 |
If it is feasible (I haven't been in your "new" place, so I don't have
any idea) *really* babyproof some space, say somewhere that didn't
have much books & big-people-toys in it to begin with, so you don't
have to be on tenterhooks *every* minute.
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popcorn
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response 5 of 9:
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Dec 31 08:57 UTC 1994 |
This response has been erased.
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davel
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response 6 of 9:
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Dec 31 14:46 UTC 1994 |
A bigger place just gets stuffed with more unsuitable junk. Take my word
for it.
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popcorn
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response 7 of 9:
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Jan 2 01:38 UTC 1995 |
This response has been erased.
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kami
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response 8 of 9:
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Jan 2 02:01 UTC 1995 |
yea!!! Oh, and you have great kid-toys. Timothy had a great time.
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gracel
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response 9 of 9:
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Jan 2 03:16 UTC 1995 |
Indeed, the baby's personality and habits are as important as the
caregiver's. They come in all kinds, from the laid-back individuals
(like our oldest used to be most of the time) to hurricanes-in-diapers.
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