To Think It Wrong To Lock Children In Their Bedrooms?

[midori1999]

I was babysitting for a friend last night. She used to have stairgates at her DS's bedroom doors. I noticed they now have locks on the doors, on the outside.

I asked friends DD why there were locks on the boys bedroom doors now, was it to lock them out during the day so they don't untidy their rooms too much and she said 'no, the boys sometimes have to be sent to their rooms when they are naughty and won't stay in without the locks'.

I am pretty sure friends DD wouldn't lie, and she clearly didn't think it at all odd to lock the boys in their rooms. The boys are known for being very, um, wilful and my friend does struggle to deal with them and is currently pregnant again.

I do feel awkward about mentioning it to my friend and haven't so far, but I am concerned. I am right to be concerned or am I being horribly judgemental?

I am also wondering why children are being sent to bed when they are obviously not tired enough to go to sleep, necessitating (?) the locking of doors to prevent wandering. Wouldn't it be smarter and safer to have a child do something quiet like reading in the evening downstairs with the family?

Wrong to lock them in,not wrong to send them to bed at a reasonable hour.....time depending on their age,especially when they have school the next day......parents need their own time too and children learn to understand that this is now adult time....reading downstairs would be fine if the parents were still up,but what if they want to watch tv that's unsuitable for children......or god forbid........they want to go to bed too......