My mother-in-law is driving me mad!!

[Muller]

Have an 18th month DD whom is regularly looked after on mondays by MIL. I noticed last month however, that she had her gas fire blazing, whilst DD was trotting around the living room. DH asked her nicely to leave the fire off when DD was present. Then after she competely ignored him he asked her again. After the 3rd time, he took her round there armed with a fireguard purchased from Argos. There was a stony atmosphere and MIL said "she doesnt go anywhere near the fire, but if you want me to use it suppose i must". I mean - is it me. Toddlers and fires!! Dont think im over-reacting, but my friend thinks we belittled her by taking up fireguard. In all other aspects she is a great nanny and i trust her, but she cant seem to cope without the fire blazing at all times!!!! Does anyone think we were wrong for doing this....

No you are not wrong. You are absolutely right. Always go with what you think, it is your daughter. Sod what Nanny thinks!
Sorry if that sounds harsh but what if something did happen? Its not worrth even thinking about. I'd say use it or loose it granny!!

different expectations when MIL was bringing up children .. she never used a fireguard so doesn't understand the fuss

but you're completely in the right on this one

She might not go anywhere near the fire ... it doesn't mean she wouldn't fall into it if she happened to fall over close by. My mother has a huge scar all up one of her arms and on her side where she fell into a fire when she was a couple of years old.

You are quite right on this one - your MIL might not like it, but she would never forgive herself if anything happened to your dd.

Can you show her one of the many books on safety which say you MUST have a fireguard? Things have changed, she can't do things now the way she did years ago - she'll have social services round Not to mention Transco, pulling bits of lego out of the pipes etc.

Oh God, why do people actually want to take chances with children's safety?

OK, maybe your DD will never go near it, but why take the chance, when it's so easy to prevent an accident? (You only need one accident...)

No you are not in the wrong.

Cheers all, glad we are all of the same opinion. Nice to have it confirmed that i wasnt OTT