What would you do next

[amk78]

Hi there
A bit of background, I have a 9 month old DA, I am 5 months pregnant and my husband is fighting in Afgahnistan.

My mother in law was visiting this weekend and very kindly offered to give me a lie in - the first 3 months. But she left him unattended at the top of the stairs with the stairgate wide open.

He fell down the stairs. I went rushing out, picked him up and she said "oh well babies bounce". Fortunatly he was ok if a little scared.

How can I ever trust her with him again. I don't want to be one of those Mums that is overprotective of their child afterall she is my husbands mum and DS grandma but I dread to think what could have happened

How would you handle this in the future. Sorry I cannot even speak with my DH about this

A

bloody hell, that sounds awful.

I wouldn't let her near him unsupervised again really, until you are certain you can trust her.

I don't let my mum have my dses because she's an alcoholic and nuts and I want to protect them from that; I don't think that's being overprotective!

Don't get angry or recriminatory, just state quite calmly that it is very important to you that the stairgate is used. You need all the help and support you can get at the moment, but there's no harm in being politely firm about your ground rules and expectations. Make sure you also emphasise how much you appreciate her help so she knows you're being reasonable about it.

Sending my thoughts, prayers and immense respect for your DH btw. Not a job I could do (or be married to).

Thank you,
It is a tough life but he is doing a owrthwhile job out there so it makes it easier

A