Have I completely lost my mind?

[SweetButAPsyyco]

So I don’t drip feed, I’ll begin by explaining I have a history of mental health issues. Anxiety and intrusive thoughts mainly.

My family and I are on holiday, staying in an air bnb in Italy. It’s a beautiful 2 bed appartement on a canal. The apartment has a living area, then a lockable door that leads to the bedrooms and bathroom. My children are 7 and 9 and are currently fast asleep in the 2nd bedroom. DH and I are in the main bedroom with a balcony over the canal.

Ive locked the door that leads to the living area, but left the key in and I’ve kept my bedroom door wide open incase either of the children were to wake up disorientated. However, there is a full length window/Juliet balcony in their bedroom. If windows were opened, then there are big shutters that, if pushed open, would expose the Juliet balcony above the canal. I’m now laying in bed wondering if I need to change up the sleeping arrangements incase a child opened the windows/shutters, disorientated in the night.

I know I’m catastrophising, but it’s hard to see whether I’m acting rationally, or whether this is my anxiety taking over. What would you do? Thanks.

Do the windows lock? How high is the barrier on the balcony?

Its very, very unlikely that they would open the window and the shutter but if it makes you feel better could you tie the shutters closed somehow?

The windows don’t lock no. The metal fencing probably comes up to my eldests underarm height.

Can you put a chest of drawers or something in front of it ?

All the furniture is built in. Also the ladder from the top bunk goes down that way and it’s a small space so there wouldn’t be space to put anything in there without creating major issues for DD climbing down from her bed.

Is tying the windows or the shutters up an option?

I really don’t think you have anything to worry about but I would be the same and would rather have it locked/tied off

At 7 & 9, if you told them not to under any circumstances open the windows and shutters because it’s dangerous, would they do it anyway?
For your peace of mind as pp suggests move a chest of drawers, tie the handles with a belt/curtain tie back, buy string (or a wind chime to tie to it so it would alert you) tomorrow.

I completely get where you're coming from and have these thoughts too. For tonight could you leave their door adjar with a light on outside, so if they do wake they won't be in the dark? They'll only come and find you if they do wake and likelihood is, with all the travelling, they'll be exhausted and will sleep well. Tomorrow maybe hook up some sort of closure for the shutters, to give you some peace of mind

At 7 & 9, if you told them not to under any circumstances open the windows and shutters because it’s dangerous, would they do it anyway?

Most likely not, but one of them can be a bit of a loose cannon from time to time. Will go and have a look and see if I can tie them. That should give me some peace of mind.

I'd find it hard not to think about it too, so I'd want to find some kind of solution. Good luck sorting it out so you can relax!

I'm sorry, but are you really worried that your children will wake up in the night, open the window, open the shutter, climb over the balcony railing which comes up to their armpit and fall into the canal? And all without you waking up (the windows and shutters are likely to make a racket when opened!).

I'd say the chances of sudden death in their sleep are higher than that.

i would do not risk this - it sounds very dangerous and accidents happen and be really devastating.

I have awful intrusive thoughts sometimes so I totally get where you’re coming from. I think I might struggle with that set up too so if there was a way of securing the window I’d do it.

Have a look at the handles on the shutters, tomorrow you may be able to buy a cable lock + alarm that will warn you if the shutters are opened.

I’ve tied it up using clothing. I’ve left their bedroom door wide open, and ours wide open, and just about 10 feet between the rooms. Will buy something to more securely tie the shutters tomorrow, or change up the sleeping arrangements.

I use something similar to this, the alarm is about 90 Db;

https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Anti-theft-Password-Security-Motorcycle/dp/B086YBC2NM/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=cable+lock+with+alarm&qid=1681764544&sr=8-7

Good old fashioned cable ties should do the trick, and they should be available . According to google translate they're fascette per cavi

Can you just change rooms with them?

I lived in a house with balconies on the bedrooms for years , the whole compound had them. Never heard of anyone falling or toppling over them and there were lots of kids and more than one alcoholic amongst the neighbours!
Tie them together ( shutters, not the children) to give you peace of mind but honestly, they’ll be quite safe.

This would worry me but I have intrusive thoughts at times, triggered by incidents like the death of Nora Quoirin. I'd have to sleep in the room with them if I felt there was a risk at all. (I do take medication for anxiety but sometimes the anxiety still wins!)