New Sibling Set Ruined My Baby Gate And Curtain Rod Today

[LysesKids]

I do try to teach them "no touch" to the gate but they don't listen. The one that wrecked it ran into it, technically didn't "touch" it. -.-

Just frustrated that this happened. If it was an accident, I'd understand

You wouldn't like my home, I don't use gates at all & I have long curtains AND NO my toddlers do not pull them down (in TN a little is a toddler 16 thru 30 months); they also have learned where they can walk/crawl and where they can't without having tape on the floor, much less a gate to stop them.

[Rockgirl]

The rule here is: Only grown ups touch the gate.

If you feel strongly about charging the parents, just do it. I don't mean this snarky, but you did ask what we would do.

[Blackcat31]

You teach your kids not to touch the gate? Lol. I would have a hard time with that with even my own kids. I'm strict where I need to be and lenient of other things.

Just because it happened "on my watch", I don't feel that a child should be able to destroy things and have no consequences. I do supervise them intensely but in the 30 seconds I was changing a diaper they ruined 2 things? I mean c'mon.... I don't think it's acceptable for me to take on this cost, especially considering I've told them not to touch the curtains, removed them from the area, and also told them not to hang on, climb, or open the big gate.

That gate has lasted me almost a year and after 5 days of these new kids it's totally destroyed.

If you are unwilling to view this situation as one of those situations in which you bear the bulk of responsibility then perhaps it's time you either review and edit the areas in which you choose to be lenient.

Money is an area where I am NOT lenient. If a behavior or policy continually costs me money, there are 2 solutions to the issue.
I **** up the costs and write it off on my taxes or change the way/method in which I do things to prevent monetary losses.

You don't get to say "I am lenient in some areas and strict in others" but then complain about the fall out of YOUR choice to be lenient.

Like others have said, I also teach my kiddos to never touch gates or doors. ALL kids from mobile infant to Kindergarten FULLY understand and adhere to that rule.

It's an area I choose to be strict because if I am not it will in one way or another cost me money.

You need to take a hard look at which areas you are needing to be strict and which areas you are able to be lenient.

I do agree there should and can be consequences to their actions but I would be leery of someone that can't or won't see their role in the situation being the one to discipline or implement a consequence.

Bottom line however, is these are children.
They aren't dropped off knowing all the rules and expectations and they certainly don't have the capacity to make mature/safe decisions and follow all the rules all the time.....if they had that ability, they wouldn't require your services.

[hwichlaz]

I do try to teach them "no touch" to the gate but they don't listen. The one that wrecked it ran into it, technically didn't "touch" it. -.-

Just frustrated that this happened. If it was an accident, I'd understand

you can't ruin a gate without touching it in some way. no touch covers the entire body, and anything a child is holding...I'm betting he didn't damage it by hovering over it

[Mummy101]

I do try to teach them "no touch" to the gate but they don't listen. The one that wrecked it ran into it, technically didn't "touch" it. -.-

Just frustrated that this happened. If it was an accident, I'd understand

Don't feel bad, I am in the same boat. I feel like a broken record. "Don't touch the gate, We don't hang on the gates, You are not the gate keeper, I am etc," I can enforce all the no gate rules I want, the littles must be reminded every day, scratch that every hour!

[Mummy101]

Yes, I teach them not to touch the gate. No climbing, opening, hanging on...that is too many words and directions, versus "no touch". That eliminates those 3 behaviors with two words and creates a boundary between the kid and the gate. It will never get broken, because they never get to touch it.

What do you guys do if they do touch it?

[hwichlaz]

What do you guys do if they do touch it?

I remove them from the area, redirect...and if they are old enough...sit their butts in the time out chair. it's a safety issue

I have one baby mountain goat that doesn't learn. She spends a lot of time as my shadow.

[Blackcat31]

I remove them from the area, redirect...and if they are old enough...sit their butts in the time out chair. it's a safety issue

I have one baby mountain goat that doesn't learn. She spends a lot of time as my shadow.

:: same here.

Routine, routine, routine etc... and lots of consistency.

What do you guys do if they do touch it?

I start out training them by using another visual barrier that is near the gate. Sort of like a "warning area" or the goalie zone around the net.

This is an excellent place to start:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGa9BURyIw0

[Ariana]

Agree with BlackCat about everything. I have a destroyer who is 18 months old and she comes with me when I leave the room. I would take them all if I needed to. She cannot have access to the sleep room or the bathroom when she is here. I was doing some sciency things with the kids and had a vinegar volcano set up, she had to watch from a pack and play. She is not to be trusted at all. Toddler is 18 months to 2.5 yrs.

This is all a learning experience. These kids would lose any independance privileges from here on out.

[knoxmomof2]

I have one baby mountain goat that doesn't learn. She spends a lot of time as my shadow.

Haha! Love this ❤️

[Unregistered]

Update???? Did you charge the parent? How did it go?

[flying_babyb]

:: same here.


I start out training them by using another visual barrier that is near the gate. Sort of like a "warning area" or the goalie zone around the net.
]

YEP!! I teach one year olds, and they know you dont go past the red line or your going to the cube (quiet area with books). Our gate looks great now!