Childproofing for Company

[va32h]

My husband invited a young couple with a toddler to our house for Thanksgiving - one of the soldiers in his unit who is new here and can't go back home for the holidays.

I don't know them at all! Their daughter is between 1 and 2 - not totally sure of her age.

My kids are past the age where I've really childproofed - my cabinets don't have locks, for example, no toilet seat lid locks or doorknob covers, stuff like that. I also don't have any high chairs or booster seats.

I was thinking of calling up the wife and letting her know this, giving her the option of bringing a booster seat or baby gate, or whatever childproofing devices she is used to.

My husband thinks this would put her on the spot - maybe they don't have a portable high chair or removable cabinet locks and maybe they will feel obligated to go out and buy them. He thinks we should improvise (for example, I could fasten a zip tie around the cupboard, or move things to higher cupboards, we could just shut the bathroom door and take turns keeping an eye out, use phone books and pillows for a booster, etc.

Part of the problem is that I just don't know this woman well, so I am not sure what would make her most comfortable. Suggestions or thoughts?

 

[noodleknitter]

What a sweet husband! And how kind of you!

I would call, offering the suggestions you did here. I bet she is nervous, also, and it would give her an opportunity to get to know you a bit before she arrives on her doorstep!

 

[SC Minnie]

Crawl around on your hands and knees and move anything that is breakable out of reach.

Close the bathroom door. Zip ties on the cabinets that have chemicals is a good idea. I doubt this child will be running through the house unsupervised. As far as a booster seat, I don't think it would be out of line to call the mother and tell you don't have one. Ask her to bring a portable if she has one and if not the phone books would work.

 

[Mono~rail]

I don't expect our hosts to babyproof their house for us when we go somewhere for visits. Dh and I just make the best of it and keep an eye on them.

Baby-proofing supplies can be costly. Each thing by itself is not expensive, but the amount needed adds up. You could easily spend $100 on everything needed - cabinet locks, toilet locks, plug covers, a booster seat, gates, etc.

 

[SpecialK]

What a sweet husband! And how kind of you!

I would call, offering the suggestions you did here. I bet she is nervous, also, and it would give her an opportunity to get to know you a bit before she arrives on her doorstep!

Totally agree with this. And kudos to you and your husband.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I really would not go to extreme measures except to take up any breakables, glass, etc...

 

[mtemm]

how sweet of you! I think closing the bathroom door would be enough at that age, depending on the type of handle. definitely either move any chemicals or the twist tie (or 2) should be fine. I agree with the pp who said to crawl around and move any breakables at a childs level. you might want to also make sure any of your kids toys that are itty bitty are put away, or at least high enough.

I doubt if the mom expects you to have a booster seat. If you have a nieghbor who might have one you can borrow, do that. If not, don't worry about it.

If you have tupperware and a wooden spoon, the toddler might even become your best friend. lol.

 

[Aidensmom]

I don't think most parent's of a toddler expect someone to childproof their home just because they are coming to visit - they realize they will need to keep an eye on them. However, I would move anything that would upset you if it was broken, just in case. Kids can be quick at grabbing things.

It wouldn't be inappropriate to let her know you don't have a booster seat though, in case she has a portable one she can bring.

 

[GJM]

That is very nice -

I never expected anyone to baby proof their house when my DS was smaller. I would just keep a real close watch on him.

 

[KirstenB]

Just put up any breakables, close the doors to bathrooms, or other rooms you don't want her in. We have a 14 mth old, and I just hold her and feed her rolls, or something else that's soft and not too messy.

 

[ZachnElli]

I have a toddler who gets into EVERYTHING, lol. I do have removable cabinet locks that I can take with me to other houses, so I don't think you would be out of line to ask her. I have a sil that uses rubberbands on her cabinets when we come over. Shutting the bathroom door should be enough, although my little one can open them. I do follow him around everywhere he goes when we go anywhere. It's very sweet that you are concerned!

 

[salmoneous]

I have a non-childproofed home. When families with kids come over, I take the effort to make sure there are no knives or other super-dangerous things lying around, but that's about it.

Now maybe this is just justification for being lazy, but I almost think it dangerous to do a quick-and-dirty childproofing, as it could give the parents a false sense of security. My house is full of dangers. If I tried to patch them, I'd probably miss something. Better for the parents to know the house is dangerous and keep constant watch on the child.

One thing we do is keep our guest room as a "safe" room. It is fully childproofed - as well as kept pet (and other allergens) free. Still not perfect, but it does give the parents a bit of relaxing if we spend time in there.

 

[va32h]

I think I am definitely going to call about the booster seat. Our youngest is three, so people have assumed in the past that we still had a high chair or similar.

But you know, when you have several kids, the youngest just wants to catch up as quick as she can, and ours wanted to sit like a big girl from the minute she could hold her head up.

I am also fortunate that none of my kids were ever interest
ed in the cupboard under the sink or the trash can, etc.

I am actually excited to have company for Thanksgiving. It is usually just us, and it's really kind of boring. Plus, I always cook too much food, anyway.

My oldest is making place cards, and already planning how to set the table.

 

[Beth76]

I would only make sure breakables are out of the way. No need for outlet covers or cabinet locks.