Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think friends should childproof their house a little when I bring dd to stay?

112 replies

deaconblue · 20/08/2009 21:02

plugs with no covers, exposed wires on a lead and tonnes of tiny tiny toys laying all over the house. Their kids are 5 and 2 so I understand their house doesn't need to be as child proof as I need for my 1.3 yr old but surely the chokeable toys could have been put away? I spent the whole visit retrieving plastic coins and playmobil bits from dd's mouth.

OP posts:
LightningBolt · 20/08/2009 21:05

Well as a mum of a 5 and 3 yo it can be a bit difficult to be small bitty plastic free.

However exposed wires/uncovered sockets sound a little dangerous.

Aranea · 20/08/2009 21:06

YABU. You're the one responsible for your child's safety, and can clear hazards away as you encounter them. If they're past that stage with their kids, you shouldn't expect them to go over their house trying to see it through your eyes. In any case, everyone has different notions of what is dangerous. I have a 10 month old and a 4yo and have never put covers on plug sockets. I would be horrified if a guest expected me to do so for their benefit!

TotallyAndUtterlyPaninied · 20/08/2009 21:06

How long were you staying? I don't really expect people to childproof their houses for my 1 year old but then again it would probably bug me having to pick things out of his mouth all the time... I don't know really.

Personally I wouldn't expect it.

Overmydeadbody · 20/08/2009 21:06

YABU

With a 5 yr old and a 2yr old I would think they are busy enough and have enough to do without worrying about plug clovers etc.

If you visit with a 1.3yr old it's your job to supervise her.

morningpaper · 20/08/2009 21:07

Aw, sorry but I think YABU. It is difficult though! In a few weeks she will stop shoving everything in her mouth and it will be a LOT easier.

stubbyfingers · 20/08/2009 21:08

Sorry, I think YAB a bit U.

Your baby, your job to protect them. I wouldn't expect my friends and family to run out and buy childlocks and covers just because we're coming. You just have to be vigilant.

Overmydeadbody · 20/08/2009 21:08

I have never used plug covers myslef and wouldn't see them as necessary.

Do you know how hard it is to clear up tiny plastic toys like lego and playmobil with a 5 yr old around?

No matter how fast you tidy it away, they get it out and spread around the house even faster.

Original poster
deaconblue · 20/08/2009 21:08

just stayed for one night. Had to watch her like a hawk as there was stuff everywhere.

OP posts:
rempy · 20/08/2009 21:09

YABU, sorry.

I have more of an issue with the grandparents keeping bleach under the sink. And toilet cleaner out.

vbusymum1 · 20/08/2009 21:11

I think YUBa bitU. I have a 1 yo and older DCs and I've never had a socket cover for any of them and my house is full of small pieces. If friends come round with babies I don't change anything, I assume they will make sure their DCs don't eat small stuff. Actually I've found that my 1 yo understands not to put things in his mouth if I say "no".
Exposed wires are, of course, always dangerous for any age.

allaboutme · 20/08/2009 21:13

i've got a 1 year old too.
i dont even have socket covers in my own house, so wouldnt expect someone to buy some for me staying there 1 night!!
I also ave small toys everywhere (also have 3 yr old) plus I keep bleach under the sink and toilet cleaner out.
I just watch my kids carefully

preggersplayspop · 20/08/2009 21:13

I would never expect friends to babyproof their house for my visit, it just goes with the territory having to watch them closely while you are in their house rather than your own. Even when they are old enough not to touch the plug sockets they will probably be picking up vases and pictures and chucking them around if you don't watch them. You wouldn't expect them to pack up all their ornaments either would you?

hocuspontas · 20/08/2009 21:14

Unless they are in a cage in the middle of the room I don't think you ever really take your eyes off children that age anyway. I certainly wouldn't have outside of my own home.

mamalovesmojitos · 20/08/2009 21:16

YABU for all above reasons.

IlanaK · 20/08/2009 21:17

I don't even expect my mother to babyproof and we spend a lot of time in her house, so yes you are being unreasonable.

I have an 8 year old, a 5 year old and a 1 yaer old. I just don't worry about the lego, etc. When we visit others (and lots of our friends have children the age of my older ones, not babies), I just watch him.

Egg · 20/08/2009 21:18

nobody ever child proofs their house when we go to visit or stay. My inlaws house is the worst. We have a 3yr old and two 1yr olds and have to stay for a few nights at a time when we go. I take plug covers and stair gates and cupboard locks as it's impossible to watch all 3 kids at a time. I would never expect them to provide these though. It would be handy if they moved their millions of breakable ornaments out of reach mind you.

musicposy · 20/08/2009 21:22

YABU. It's your job to watch your child. From the other side of the coin, one of my friends has a 1 and a 3 year old and it drives me mad that she lets them roam with crayons, stick their fingers into the DVD player and bang on the piano. I've just got my house civilised again, I don't want to have to re-buy socket covers! I know we're not child proof in any way but not my fault she had her kids 10 years after me!

Now everyone will flame me but I said my piece

crokky · 20/08/2009 21:23

I think that the exposed wires are a bit crazy, but other than that, to be expected.

Also, kids are different - I have a 1yo and a 3yo and the house is set up to suit them. I had a friend's 1yo round and she went for stuff that my kids don't go for/know that they are not allowed to touch. I think you just have to supervise closely in other people's houses. Personally, I don't stay with other people, I invite them to stay here. That way I don't have these sort of problems. My dad's house particularly is a nightmare - millions of ornaments and breakable stuff, loads of other assorted dangerous stuff - virtually impossible to supervise 2 toddlers in there - so I just have him come here instead.

MovingOutOfBlighty · 20/08/2009 21:25

Sorry but didn't even use plug sockets and stairgates with my dd and ds. My ds is 3 years younger than dd and had to, from an early age, be around Polly Pocket (devils own toy) things which could be inserted in every orofice.

I wouldn't baby proof my own house, but if someone wanted to bring stuff to babyproof it then so be it. Personally, I think the best baby proofing is a good pair of eyes.

herbietea · 20/08/2009 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

scottishmummy · 20/08/2009 21:35

it's someone else house,they have no need to adapt

if you wish to be invited again i suggest you stop whining and expecting others to accommodate your child

littlenamelessunrememberedacts · 20/08/2009 21:38

yanbu, they could at least may a bit of effort on the obvious things. Or just not invite you.

I think about basic little things I can do to make guests more comfortable, why should a small child be any exception?

GypsyMoth · 20/08/2009 21:39

good grief....the petty threads we're getting today!!!

get a grip!!

your child,your responsibility. i think its all been said!

scottishmummy · 20/08/2009 21:43

your child your responsibility.one cant expect every environment to be tactile and non challenging

enjoy the company,the rapport don't fret about what if's

IsItMeOr · 20/08/2009 21:50

YABU. See above.