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Original poster

Would you expect an almost 6 year old to know this?

41 replies

blackberry501 · 16/04/2012 10:36

ds was in our bedroom last night watching tv. For some strange reason decided to open more than 1 drawer in our chest of drawers. Cue one toppled chest of drawers and one flying tv!!!!!
Fortunately tv seems to have survived.
I sat him down and had a long chat about how silly it was to do it. This was after dh stormed in shouting the odds and threatening to cancel birthday presents/parties etc for both dc. This was before he even knew what child was responsible.
Not sure whether my reaction was enough or should we have decided a sensible santion between us.

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GinPalace · 16/04/2012 10:39

Sounds like a genuine mistake to me. I would not expect full punishment to be meted out.

Even adult office staff don't know this which is why filing cabinets have mechanisms that stop one drawer opening when one is already open.

I am sure he felt bad and won't be doing it again in a hurry. Your DP needs to calm his jets IMO. Cancel a birthday for an accident Shock I bet the alarming consequences will be seared on DS brain for some time and that is all a bit unnecessary!

TrinityRhino · 16/04/2012 10:40

no I wouldn't expect a nearly six year old to just know

had he been taught already not to open more than one at a time?

I think the shock and a telling off would be enough

tell your dp to calm down

JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 16/04/2012 10:42

no I wouldnt.

Total over reaction of your OH.

stealthsquiggle · 16/04/2012 10:42

I wouldn't expect him to know at all if he hadn't been explicitly told repeatedly.

Rather than ranting, maybe your DH should fit some furniture straps just in case.

Original poster
blackberry501 · 16/04/2012 10:43

That's what I thought too. Thanks.

OP posts:
trikken · 16/04/2012 10:43

No my nearly six year old has done similar. Six is still little and learning these things.

shhhgobacktosleep · 16/04/2012 10:46

No I wouldn't expect an almost 6yr old to know and think your dh was out of order threatening to cancel birthdays over what was an accident. Chest of drawers or furniture in general which have any sort of height should be attached to the wall for safety, particularly if it has a Tv on top.

ceebeegeebies · 16/04/2012 10:48

No, my DS1 is nearly 6 and I can't imagine he would have any concept about the danger of opening more than 1 drawer at a time - why would he?

Accidents happen and he will definintely not open more than 1 drawer again will he?

GinPalace · 16/04/2012 10:49

Yes, your DH should be glad he didn't end up with a TV shaped dent in his head! :)

tabulahrasa · 16/04/2012 10:50

No, in fact I've tipped over drawers myself - more than once...

But I'd be pretty angry at my DC if they were opening my drawers in my bedroom Hmm

pinktrees · 16/04/2012 10:51

My DS is 6.0 and knows this only because I have caught him doing it and explained it to him. How could a child know unless it has been explained?

GinPalace · 16/04/2012 10:52

Will you be getting your DH to read this OP? He's getting a bit of a flaming. Grin

boringnickname · 16/04/2012 10:52

No you shouldnt have expected him to know, you should have stopped him (says the mother who let her 2 year old pull a chest of drawers down on hersef once Blush it was awfu, i was so upset). But im sorry, your husband sounds vile. But hey at least your TV DS was unharmed!

Original poster
blackberry501 · 16/04/2012 10:52

I did asked him why he opened them. He couldn't answer. I guess he was shocked.
Still all well today.

OP posts:
Original poster
blackberry501 · 16/04/2012 10:53

Yes, the tv can be repaced. Not ds.

OP posts:
BrettDomino · 16/04/2012 10:54

Just asked my 8 and 6 year old DCs and the 8 year worked out why you don't open more than one drawer at once (realised it would be unstable) whereas 6 year old had no idea. They also said they thought cancelling a party would be very unfair.

Original poster
blackberry501 · 16/04/2012 10:54

I so wish I had been in the room at the time. Unfortunately I was in another room.

OP posts:
Ilovedaintynuts · 16/04/2012 10:55

I barely know this let alone a 6 year old!
Very harsh. Some unclenching needs to occur.

HandMadeTail · 16/04/2012 10:56

There is a sort of locking system on filing cabinet drawers which stops more than one being opened at once. Filing cabinets are not often used by children, so I'm guessing not all adults could be relied on not to do this! So why should a 6 yr old know it? Fwiw, my dh would be the same, and I would think that the schlock of he whole lot falling over would be a sufficiently good lesson for my ds!

Original poster
blackberry501 · 16/04/2012 10:56

I know he wouldn't go through with it. I think it was probably shock that caused dh to say that. Calmed down almost immediately.

OP posts:
HandMadeTail · 16/04/2012 10:56

Shock not schlock!

Ilovedaintynuts · 16/04/2012 10:57

I do get annoyed at 'poking' though. I would be angry at a 6 year old opening my drawers for privacy reasons.

seeker · 16/04/2012 10:59

I didn't know this! Bloody hell! I've been dicing with death for 50 years!

GinPalace · 16/04/2012 11:01

seeker dicing with death Grin

DeWe · 16/04/2012 11:04

I've just opened all my drawers to check and it didn't fall over even when I pushed it from behind too. It's only an old MFI plyboard rubbish too. Grin