To lock or not???

[Gordonbennit]

Does anyone else lock doors in homes to keep kids safe.......??

I have 3 DS 8, 6 & 3

The 6yr old has ADHD and loves to climb has very little danger awareness and is strong as an ox.

I used to lock my bedroom door (from the outside when not in it!) to stop him going In and trying to escape out of the windows etc. also I used to padlock my pantry to keep him away from knives and scissors.

My sister (who has autistic son) recently Stated that I should not be locking things away in the house as it is not teaching him the safety aspect of things it's just keeping them out of his reach meaning he wants them even more. Also she asked once you start where do you stop.

Any opinions???

I feel the safety need is higher as his little brother is now copying some of his antics (def not ADHD just copying) it's only a matter of time before someone is injured.

I'm finding myself wanting to put a lock on his big bros bedroom door too as he goes in there and wrecks the place breaking toys ripping posters and it's just not fair-I've talked to him endless times about it but it's like the compulsion just takes over and nothing else matters - it's just so draining!!!

We have a hook lock on our kitchen door and baby gates on the kid's bedrooms (mine are younger 2 and 4). 4yo ds ASD. I find now that we don't use the lock as much as we used to but it does still work as a visual reminder for my ds. Same with the baby gates.

I don't see a problem with it if it makes your life easier. Before we put the lock on the kitchen door I spent the whole time trying to control the melt downs that not having one caused!

I had locked cupboards until such point that dc was mentally capable of learning to keep themself safe.

I would say the point at where you stop is the point at which the individual child is safe.

I used to use the hook style ones they worked well for a long time but then became a target as he grew and knew he could climb up and un-hook it.

He can easily explain why he shouldn't be - playing with scissors, wrecking his brothers bedroom or climbing out of windows etc but then just seems to get an idea and have to follow it through!

Just feels a bit wrong having padlocks rounds the house, but then guess we will have to get used to it as I am genuinely scared someone will get hurt.

It never been to anyone's house and seen pad locks...but then don't know anyone else with a child like mine!

Sorry typo
should be Ive never been, not it never been

I completely believe you. Your sisters kid is not like yours. I've only recently met one like mine.
I had one like yours. (Although slightly younger when at worst) I used to take photographic evidence and video because nobody would believe me when I told them. People (paediatrician, teachers, DCT social worker) would just look at me like I was making it up, like this tiny kid was just not capable of doing what I was saying they did.

I had those little cheap alarms on every door too, not as a preventative measure, but to alert me when I needed to go running before anything did happen.
Maglocks on every drawer and cupboard. Lock removed from the bathroom door.
I used to have to lock us in the house at all times and carry the door keys attached to my belt hook.

Yes, my house is made safe for my kids.

The kitchen is fenced off with a gate that the kids can't open (yet). They have no idea of danger and constantly mouth things or stick objects up noses (scissors, knives, skewers and batteries are my worries).

There is nothing that can harm in any cupboards accessible to the kids. If things were not locked away I would spend most of my time grabbing stuff out of their hands and shouting "not in your mouth!" It's more relaxed this way.

I'd love to get them to learn safe behaviours but at the moment this is not possible due to intellectual disability and the fact that I can't be in three places at once.

We also have a number lock on the front gate of the house. They can't escape.

You have to do what works for your family.

(I have a 9 year old and 5 year old twins all with a rare genetic condition)

Yes we do. Pantry has number lock. Windows are locked. Lock on dd bedroom door so he cannot go in and wreck it. Am currently considering more as living room being damaged in early am. It is honestly only way to keep people and property safe.

thanks Everyone I feel a bit better now about it then.

I think I always feel as though my sister thinks she knows better as her son is so much older (being there done that kind of thing)

I need to be strong enough to say my child is different and my needs are different, and get some locks to save my kids and the little remaining sanity that I have. Without worrying about what people think xx

Thanks so much