I've said something stupid to my 3 year old

[StupidMummy]

I feel horrendous right now. My little one is 3. Very advanced. But still so little.

Tonight they kept asking why they can't put little toys in their mouth. I replied -

It's dangerous
Because I'm asking you not to
You'll choke

This went on and on. I don't know why the conversation went round and round. And I ended up saying. Something along the lines of -

If you choke, you'll die and I'd never get to see you again.

As soon as I'd said it I wish I could've taken it back. They've gone to sleep now. But their sad little scared face has literally broken my heart.

I'm meant to protect them. And now I've scared the life out of them. I don't know what to do?? I don't know how it fix this. I'm so upset with myself. I'm an awful parent. I don't know how I could've been soon stupid.

There are things children need to know for their own safety. I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. My friend witnessed a two year old choke to death on a toy they were unable to remove in time. Hopefully you made a big impression on him.

Well it looks like your message finally got through to him

I think it's the right thing to say, it's the truth. I had to say similar to DS for the same reason and he then said to me, does that mean I'll be a ghost? 🤦‍♂️ I then told him in no uncertain terms ghosts are not real.

Not sure what else you could have said, and it's not a bad thing if they are a bit scared. Stop them doing it again!!! Don't worry about it.

I'm meant to protect them. And now I've scared the life out of them. I don't know what to do?? I don't know how it fix this. I'm so upset with myself. I'm an awful parent. I don't know how I could've been soon stupid

Don't be daft. It's a normal thing to say. Many parents have said it to their children. Whether it's a daughter or a son, it's not a big deal. It will be forgotten by tomorrow.

I love a good pedant but you have to be accurate, "they" has been used as a singular pronoun as far back as the 1300, and if it's good enough for Will Shakespeare and Jane Austen it's good enough for me

I have said the exact same thing to all of my children. It's the truth.. they never put small objects in their mouth after.

Pedantic twat.

My kids know not to put small toys into their mouths and not to grab each other tightly round the neck or tie anything around their necks due to choking. They know it’s serious and scary and that’s how they learn not to do stupid things. You did nothing wrong.

Jane Austen and Charles Dickens used the singular "they"; I think it's probably good enough for the rest of us.

Got four DC, so if I had to dwell on situations like this, there wouldn't be time to live my life for the fun stuff.

Draw a line under it and move on OP.