grandson's safety

There is no mention at all in OP of son being in the house at the time. love0c's son was telling his mum the tale, no mention he was in the house whilst it happened .... although, I do hope the butter cleaned up ok

Sometimes I wish the blxxxx Mumsnetters would get back to Mumsnet.

* Hithere* What???!!!!

You can't be looking at toddlers all the time. Bring back playpens I say.

Think I might have taken him upstairs with me. Would have at least avoided the mess.

No biggie though.

Hetty I like windows that can open right out. Child locks can be added. Its also essential IMO in a fire that upstairs windows can quickly be fully opened without too fiddley child locks so IMO its a worthwhile balance to weigh up even if you do add them.

I actually TAUGHT my children from a young age how to open the safety catches on our windows incase they were trapped in a different room to me in a fire. And we did run-throughs.

I considered our safety locks more of a security measure so we could ventilate without people getting IN than the other way round

My daughter was thinking of moving into a brand new flat (7th floor) and we were all looking around with the grandchildren.

I happened to go into a bedroom and found their (then) 4 year old hanging half out of a window, looking at the view. She'd worked out how to release the safety catch (so called) in minutes, just by looking at it.

I made a great big fuss with the builders and local authority - only to find that everything there met with UK safety standards - quite horrifying. We beat a hasty retreat and then posted leaflets about the need for additional window locks through every door!

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When I couldn't get a childproof cap off something, you can be sure my then toddler could. There isn't a childproof lock, gate or cap out there that a percentage of toddlers/small children hasn't figured out in 30 seconds. Often parents learn by their mistakes. You can be sure that any parents who haven't faced something like this have just been lucky. There was a time they let go of a little hand or ran off to the loo and didn't close a gate properly or fell asleep on a soda and nothing bad happened. Luck, not skill. No one is perfect

I was always very careful, having safety catches on some cupboards and drawers when the DC were little.
Therefore I was quite astonished to see DD allowing DGS to wash up when he was about 2, cutlery and all. She said he was learning how to be careful and treat knives etc, with respect.
He never cut himself.

I've also watched someone else's DGD age 3 cutting the cucumber for our lunch with a normal knife.

The one thing to be really careful with are those washing liquid tablets. Keep them in a locked cupboard or well out of reach, they can cause untold damage if swallowed.

I was gardening when my eldest (2 yrs old) went in to get his drink. He was rather a long time so I checked on him. He'd emptied out the fridge (milk, butter, eggs, maple syrup, lots of other stuff) on the floor and was mixing it 'Making pancakes' he said!

When my daughter was nearly 3 I left her and her baby brother on the sofa whilst I went to the toilet She’s was a very grown up conscientious little thing I said sit still and watch your brother Mummy will be back in 2 minutes as I was coming back I heard a bump and the baby screaming on the floor I ran in and picked him up saying darling I told you to watch your brother She said mummy I did I watched him fall on the floor
They re 50 and 52 now

These things happen, but your son found it amusing??
Sharp knife, butter smeared on the stairs and wall?
I hope they sit him down and explain why this Must Never Happen Again.

She was probably on the loo! It's allowed.

Your son and DIL were probably 'shocked' to find he could reach the drawer and will be more vigilant now.

I don't think this is negligence in any way. I always thought I was super vigilant but didn't stop my then 2 year old finding and drinking a bottle of cough mixture!!

Eyes in back of head? what? Sure do need them no matter how careful you are the little so and so's surprise you! Perhaps your son was laughing out of 'relief' more than thinking it was actually funny?

My 4yr old GD used the microwave to warm her own milk while my DD was upstairs with the baby. My DD was mortified because anything could have happened to her. They're just so quick these little ones, you have to watch them all the time!

It's a bit late for a safety gate for a 2 1/2 y o. Mine figured out how to open it by that age. OK for the 11 month old though:-)

This seems to be an active, healthy, and creative child so congratulations!

Much depends on the sort of knife. If the child can get hold of sharp ones for preparing food these should be locked away where he can't possibly get to them. I'd mention this to the parents if I were you.

Also, could you possibly ask them if they'd like a child safety gate for the stairs as a Xmas present?

Is there any parent who has not had at least one experience like this with small children?

I can remember DD, aged about 2 getting into our study, the door was locked, but she worked out how to turn the key. She emptied out every single desk drawer and spread its contents on the flour, paperclips, pens, photograph corners, drawing pins, scissors. Board games, all their currencies mixed. Thankfully she did not eat anything or damage anything with the scissors.

Yes, I should have had my eye on her, she had previous, but I had a headache and was sitting downstairs (the study was in a bedroom) and we are none of us perfect.

Thank you for all your replies! All have a different 'take' to me but all answers were kind and caring. I will not worry anymore. It has worried me since my son told me. So much easier to accept advice when it is given in such a nice way. So a huge thank you!!!

The implied criticism of your DIL are worrying. Cut her some slack. She has two young children and incidents like this happen. I remember myself as a young mother learning from my mistakes.

Yes, they’re obviously trying to keep him safe, just underestimated his capabilities this time. It wouldn’t take long at all, as I know from the time my DD “cleaned” a bedroom wall with baby oil.

If they already have rubber bands around the lower door knobs then they are safety conscious already. This has probably raised the awareness regarding him accessing the cutlery drawer. Wouldn't worry too much.

It was the cutlery drawer, everything in kept in there. Sharp knives, bread knife and scissors. They have rubber bands around the knobs on the lower cupboards.

Clearly it is important that sharp knives, medicines sharp tools etc. are kept out of the toddler's reach. Safety is indeed paramount. But having said that, toddlers do explore and in so doing, do what adults regard as inappropriate. A pack of butter can be spread up the stairs in the time it takes to change a younger baby's nappy and settle it down to sleep.

I would be tempted to laugh with the parents about it, and then say that you will get a special toy or activity for the toddler for when mum has to be upstairs with the baby.

Since toddlers like to do the things which grown-ups do, you could also suggest that he is allowed to spread the butter himself on his own toast. It is a good opportunity to talk to the little lad about knife safety.

I suspect that the incident will have alerted the parents to possible dangers anyway. My SiL certainly learned a lot when his two little ones dispersed the contents of two bean-bags over all three levels of their house while he watched an exciting football match on TV!!

You obviously have a bright and inventive grandson. Who clearly knows how to use a knife
Cherish him and encourage him.

In mediation, Mum wouldn't have had to be upstairs that long for the act to have been committed, and with an 11 month old, she cannot be in 2 places at once anyway.

(I'd have made him do some of the clearing up too.)