To not know what a 'Schemer' or a 'Sensory Basket' is??

[catinboots]

SIL came over yesterday with her two DDs (18mo and 6mo)

Her DD1 is very lively and got hold of DS2's tool bench (DS2 is 2)

She was pushing it all around the sitting room - into DS2, into the dogs, into the paintwork, into the plasma TV and into my legs.

When DH told her not to, SIL said that she shouldn't be stopped as 'pushing' was one of her 'schemers' Apparently it follows on from building and pulling - it's a developmental stage

She also asked me if she could have one of my wooden curtain rings. Apparently it is one of the 105 key items needed for a 'sensory basket'. This basket is a necessity for a child's development.

AIBU because I don't know or care what these things are? Am I seriosly disadvantaging DS2? Is DS1 (12) destined for failure in life because he was denied these things?

On the other hand it's better to keep them occupied with baskets of shite sensory boxes than to keep handing them food to keep them occupied...I mean given the amount of adults on here who have problems with comfort eating.

you'll like this :o

My DS methodically took all the gubbins out of my travel toiletry bag the other day. It a) kept him occupied for hours and b) helped me find my eyebrow tweezers that I thought I'd lost! Thanks DS.

Does that count as a sensory basket? My toiletry bag has near-as-dammit 105 items, or so it seems.

Of course it's complete codswallop and worse - it's yet another thing taking the commonsense out of parenting and making it's adherents hysterical, demanding and the object of much deserved derision! If you are that stupid that you don't have a box of old stuff for yours kids to dip in and out of then should you really be having children?

But Lentilly what about antibac wipes?

Please tell me you sterilise everything in said dipping box

Where is the emoticon?

I have the entire house steam cleaned and fumigated every single day worra - doesn't everyone?

Has she got hold of a copy of the EYFS guidelines? I'm a cm with a wanky basket and notes about schemas. Ofsted are mad keen on it. My mindees are far more interested in taking Mr Potato Head to pieces.

I didn´t know about these things until MN.

I think it used to be quite usual for kids to have "bits & bobs" to play with.

Maybe now not so much so that these things are more actively collected/bought iyswim.

She's got an 18mo and a 6mo? Whatever gets her through the day, frankly. No need to mock her trying her very best just because it sounds like a load of old cobblers you don't agree with her.

Ah but plant, it's not just about her getting throught the day.

The whole time she is insinuating I am a shit parent because I don't do this stuff shit - I will continue to mock her and her smug smuggery

I would raise your game and take your kids for an outdoor naked den-building session.

LittleA