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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

4 year old handling medicines

13 replies

DuploTrain · 19/12/2023 15:29

Relative allows/ encourages her 4yo grandchild to “help” with her medication - I.e. pop the pills out of blister packs for her to take. This is a “treat / special job” for the child, not because she actually needs help getting them out.

I think it’s completely irresponsible. 4 year olds do stupid impulsive things sometimes and the pills could kill them (they include heart medications and opioids). I wouldn’t be prepared to bet my child’s life on them being sensible.

The parents seem fine with it though and they’re generally reasonable people which is the only reason I’m not 100% convinced that I’m correct.

And before you say it’s none of my business, it happens in front of my DC and I’m dreading the day when they are invited to “help” and I’ll have to say no.

OP posts:
CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 19/12/2023 15:31

Yes it seems like an unnecessary thing to do.

Are the pills kept well out of reach when not being used?

Original poster
DuploTrain · 19/12/2023 15:36

Are the pills kept well out of reach when not being used?

No.

OP posts:
jannier · 19/12/2023 16:21

Idiots

CalistoNoSolo · 19/12/2023 16:23

Yes, stupid and irresponsible of your relative.

SleepingBeautySnores · 19/12/2023 16:48

That is one of the craziest things I've ever heard!! Why do they think that tablets in bottles have 'child proof' lids? I am disabled and have to take a lot of controlled drugs. I have a young great grandson, and am totally paranoid if I drop a tablet on the floor and can't rest until I find it, for fear that he might come across it and put it in his mouth.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 19/12/2023 16:54

They sound like absolute idiots. The sort that put drain cleaner in lemonade bottles and are surprised when someone drinks it.

Ostryga · 19/12/2023 16:56

This is a recipe for disaster. I take a lot of medication and some ones that could be v dangerous for Dd. She’s been taught from a really early age to never, ever touch mummy’s tablets, and if I’ve forgotten to put them away she must come find me straight away.

Your relative sounds like an idiot tbh. Is the 4 year old at school? I’d probably send them an email to let them know.

PopandFizz · 19/12/2023 17:01

Have you tried mentioning to the relative that you're a bit concerned about this as your DC seems to now be taking an interest and you don't think it's a good idea from a safety point of view to view pill packets as 'a fun activity'.
Sometimes you just have to be honest and say obviously whatever the other parents are comfortable with is up to them but you would request they don't do this in front of DC.

PurplePoppyFields · 19/12/2023 17:05

That’s really irresponsible and bloody stupid! My parents did stuff like this and I was told I was overreacting. For example, they let my 2 year old squirt bleach in the toilet because ‘he wanted to’. When I walked in the garden to find my dad teaching my 3 year old son how to roll a cigarette, I stopped visiting. Lots of other issues too. Be firm that it’s not going to be done with your child and don’t leave your child with them ever!

Zanatdy · 19/12/2023 17:06

God no, I always taught my kids if they saw one of my tablets, not to touch and alert me immediately. Largely because when they were little I was on fentanyl patches and I’d seen in the paper once a child died as their grandmas patch got stuck on them. It used to really worry me so I drummed it into my kids never to touch medication.

ManateeFair · 19/12/2023 17:09

DuploTrain · 19/12/2023 15:36

Are the pills kept well out of reach when not being used?

No.

I think the pills being left in reach of small children is actually the more dangerous thing here, rather than a child being allowed help their grandparent take the pills out of the pack under supervision.

(I'm not saying it's a great idea to have a four-year-old sort your medication out as a treat, obviously - it's not. But the fact that the pills are left lying around is probably the bigger actual risk, because that means the child can get hold them when they're not under supervision.)

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 19/12/2023 20:22

@ManateeFair I agree. Although of course the fact that they help also creates the impressions that medication isn't off limits. We keep medication out of reach, but DD also knows not to touch it, just in case it accidentally was left out or fell or whatever. I also think she'd struggle to actually open a blister pack (she's 4, the same age as the child in the OP), and I definitely wouldn't be taking the opportunity to let her practice!

Goodlard · 19/12/2023 20:43

DuploTrain · 19/12/2023 15:36

Are the pills kept well out of reach when not being used?

No.

Shit! That's bad!

My mum was very lax with her medication and she used to take a bright pink triangle tablet. I took one, but luckily I chewed it, so spat it out.

Kids should be nowhere near medication ever!

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