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AIBU?

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Original poster

Giving this to toddler...

31 replies

cutthegraa · 23/12/2017 17:34

7 year old and 2.5 year old wanted to fix something and the oldest asked for kitchen tools and they get to play with plastic utensils.

DH gave them a screwdriver and a metal measuring tape.

AIBU to think this was stupid and unsafe?

OP posts:
EB123 · 23/12/2017 17:39

My boys(7&5) use real tools. They have their own measuring tapes and screwdrivers, my 7 year old is our chief battery changer and he loves using the screwdriver.

My youngest is 1, I allow him to hold and play with tools while supervised. He loves pretending to unscrew things.

toomuchfaster · 23/12/2017 17:41

DD has had metal implements since about 2 yrs old. Under supervision it's fine.

SleepingStandingUp · 23/12/2017 17:42

Well did he hand them to the toddler or the older one? Were they supervised? My toddler would try and eat the screwdriver so o wouldn't but...

Spartaca · 23/12/2017 17:43

Presumably someone was there? Which bit was going to do them serious harm? If he'd given them a Stanley knife (the only but we took out of the kit we gave our 7 yr old daughter this summer) I would get your concern slightly more.

SleepingStandingUp · 23/12/2017 17:45

When you say they get to play with plastic utensils so you mean they eat with plastic or they have toy cutlery?

RatRolyPoly · 23/12/2017 17:45

DS (2.5) has been playing with metal measuring tape for ages and it didn't look as dangerous in reality as I thought it would at first. Metal screwdriver though, no. Not only is DS far too clumsy, he also has a baby sister and can be a bit ...pokey.

SleepingStandingUp · 23/12/2017 17:46

RolyToddler I said MEASURE your sister not unscrew her foot..

Original poster
cutthegraa · 23/12/2017 17:46

7 year old fine, sensible. But a 2.5 year old? Metal measuring tape? So easy to ping back and slice your fingers. I'm not precious or wrap them in cotton wool.

He wasn't supervising at all

OP posts:
Llanali · 23/12/2017 17:47

Fine in my house.... I only have one Child so maybe it would be different with a pair, but I have no issue with them having real tools- obviously not a bench saw, but a measure and screw driver? Fine.

Original poster
cutthegraa · 23/12/2017 17:48

And my concern with the screw driver is the clumsy toddler running about with it and tripping

OP posts:
Greenshoots1 · 23/12/2017 17:48

there is not much danger there, unless the toddler falls over with the screw driver in his mouth.... otherwise, if they are seated, if there is an adult keeping an eye, if the 7 year old is the one in possession of the screwdriver..sounds like fun!

haveacupofteaandamincepie · 23/12/2017 17:49

You are a bit precious sorry

Lilactree103 · 23/12/2017 17:51

Ok under close supervision especially 2.5 yr old. Your DH sounds just like mine. At nursery my 3.5 year old uses real tools but has safety goggles etc and 1:1 with staff member.

RatRolyPoly · 23/12/2017 17:51

Sleeping he found the under-arm thermometer (so sharp, pokey thing) and asked what it was. When I told him "thermometer" he went to ram it into baby's ear because the only thermometer he knows is the in-ear one the doctor uses! He is not allowed sharp, pointy things. Ever.

JaniceBattersby · 23/12/2017 17:54

My children have all ‘real’ tools, nails, wood etc as their dad is in the building trade. They aren’t allowed metal tape measures because when they spring back the edges are so sharp can cut the flesh on your hand or finger back to the bone. If you don’t believe me, try it. My husband has multiple scars from where it’s happened to him.

Original poster
cutthegraa · 23/12/2017 18:00

@JaniceBattersby exactly my fear over measuring tape!

I'd have no problem with my 2.5 year old using a screwdriver under adult supervision. But not fannying about with her older sister and no supervision.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 23/12/2017 18:02

I've cut myself with a measuring tape before so yabu. Closely supervised maybe but not unsupervised. Maybe a set of toy tools for Christmas if it's not too late?

kaytee87 · 23/12/2017 18:03

Yanbu*

Agreatbigbushybeard · 23/12/2017 18:05

YANBU - far too young to be playing with those, both of them.

landofgiants · 23/12/2017 18:07

Screwdriver = depends on the kids!

Tape measure = bad idea! I remember my little sister slicing the tip of her thumb (they ping back really fast) when my dad gave her his tape measure to play with. On the plus side it stopped her from sucking her thumb.

froshiechipandbrickie · 23/12/2017 18:07

plastic / fabric measuring tape would probably concern me much more (because of the strangulation hazard).

Was it an (obviously unplugged) electric screw driver or a manual one?

froshiechipandbrickie · 23/12/2017 18:10

But a manual screwdriver would have me very concerned. DD1 would probably stick that in her mouth (and might fall over)...

SleepingStandingUp · 23/12/2017 18:11

RatRolyPoly my 2.5 yo is scared of them Shock so that's one less thing to get poked by

GardenGeek · 23/12/2017 18:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Willow2017 · 23/12/2017 18:24

Metal tape measure bad idea. One of my ds got hold of one when his dad was doing diy he got cut when it sprang back in on itself.

I wouldnt8gi e a toddler a screwdriver either tbh

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