My friend called me last night in tears, she had her brother in law and wife over with their little one about 14 months.
The little one took a tumble down the stairs, (She is fine, all little ones take a tumble once in their lives whether they be 1 or 90, Thats what i told her) After all the stressing over whether or not she was ok, her bro in law and wife were saying mean things like, well if there was a baby gate there this would not have happened, etc etc etc.
My friend and her husband have no kids, nor is she pregnant!
Was i right to tell her that it was not her fault and that they would probably just frustrated that it happened in the first place?
2006-12-07 08:44:23 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I dont think it was her fault, it was the parents fault.
One thing she could do is draw little bunny faces on all the wall sockets. Sure, kids arent scared of bunny faces, but they will be!!
2006-12-07 08:46:44 · answer #1 · answered by vanman8u 5 · 2⤊ 5⤋
The parent's are just looking for excuses to hide the fact they were not watching their child. I have a 16 month old son and whenever I take him to someones house the first thing I do is ask them to block the stairs if they have any. At this age babies are too liable too get excited and fall, they don't really know any better. I have a great aunt (who's are real quack) who lets her two grandkids, 14 months and 3 years run up and down the steps as they please. That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard as the risk of falling is so great. Since your friend hasn't had kids she probably never thought twice about the steps, and neither would I before I had my son and daughter. It is not her fault, and you should print these off and show to her!
2006-12-07 16:53:23 · answer #2 · answered by dolly 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give me a break. How about this for an idea....they are supposed to be responsible for their own child!! If she'd burned herself on the stove would they be saying that your friend shouldn't have a stove? I have 6 kids, most if not all fell down stairs or something in their lives. But I never blamed anyone else for my lack of supervision! They need to grow up. There have been babies since the beginning of time but baby gates did not exist. Good parents are what keeps babies alive not safety devices. Tell your friend to ignore them and realize they are just poor parents and the next time they pop off to respond with, "you are more than welcome to bring a baby gate or any other babyproofing supplies you may need the next time you come over because, as we don't have children, we are not prepared for what may arise if you are not supervising him/her."
2006-12-07 16:58:48 · answer #3 · answered by CHERI S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It wasnt her fault...
but they should have been watching the kid...
alot of homes are not child proof...
I have a friend who's house has no railing on the hall way up stairs( I almost fell off) and there are kids in the house hold...
what i am saying is 100 years ago they werent baby proofing
they did not have the technology...yet the kids survived...
the only watch they had was the parents eye...
so tell your friend that she has noting to be worried about
2006-12-07 16:57:29 · answer #4 · answered by *fergus. 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely spot on. I have 2 children and I don't expect other peoples houses to be 'child proof'. It is my responsibility to watch out for stairs, sharp bits, ornament etc not anybody elses. I guess that they were just looking to blame somebody but it's really nobody elses fault but theirs and I bet all the way home (and still probably) they are saying they should've watched her.
Your right though, all little ones have falls and these things happen and as long as everybody is OK it's a learning curve.
2006-12-07 16:49:58 · answer #5 · answered by aza 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
On a visit to India once, I saw this sign at the train station "Passengers are themselves responsible for their luggage and their children. Please take due care of them". I think this goes for your situation too.
All parents are and should be reponsible for their childrens' actions. If parents think that their child needs constant supervision they should be there to provide and not hold someone else responsible for it. Were they not sensible enough to watch their own child when the little one was going us the stairs. We have 3 children (now aged1,3 and 5) and our eyes are constantly on them to make sure they are ok and not getting themselves into any trouble. I agree with your statement that they were just frustrated that their baby was hurt but still they do not have any right to say anything to your friend. If the parents can't take of their own children they should not blame someone else for themselves being irresponsible. If the parents are sensible enough they will and should apologize.
2006-12-07 17:18:50 · answer #6 · answered by crazyprecious 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should be more responsible in watching their children. Its the same thing as having them at the store or in a restaraunt. Those places dont childproof everything. They have to watch the child more closely when they go out. You dont have kids, they know this, so how do they expect for you to babyproof your home. Its an occasional thing when you do have children in your home. They should especially watch her and keep her away from the stairs. Its their job, not yours. My moms house isnt childproofed, even though the grandkids aren't around, they aren't there all the time so I dont see a need for her to childproof it. I just watch them more closely when they are. Good luck.
2006-12-07 19:35:54 · answer #7 · answered by Koozie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it was the parents fault, definitely not your friend. Why on earth should she have a stair gate up when she has no children. The kid was not her responsibility. I feel bad saying this but the parents should have been keeping a better eye on the child.
2006-12-07 17:16:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It definately was't your friends fault. There is absolutely no rule that states if you have friends with kids you need baby gates. If they don't have kids of their own and have no reason for the gates then they shouldn't have to have them. Of the parents were concerned enough they could have brought a gate or something similar. It was definately the parents responsibility. It was probably hard for them to admit it was there fault since they know it was there responsibility. It's always easier to blame someone else and then you don't feel so guilty.
2006-12-07 16:49:48 · answer #9 · answered by jonesin_am 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If the parents don't want to watch the childs every little move, then they need to bring a baby gate or two and some outlet plugs wherever they go. It is absolutly rediculous to blame a childless woman for not having a childproof home.
2006-12-07 19:09:31 · answer #10 · answered by Ryan's Ma 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I'm understanding the story right...I don't think that it's her responsibility to provide a baby gate while their child is at her house. If safety is a concern they can either bring one along or watch the child closer. There is no reason for her to feel responsible for the accident and no reason for her to have to babyproof her house when there aren't children in the house on a daily basis. :)
2006-12-07 16:57:54 · answer #11 · answered by totspotathome 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋