Hanging out at non-babyproofed houses with your toddler

MagickalNarwhal

I pretty much only go to friends' houses that have kids (mostly just because that's who I'm closest to these days). Friends or family without kids I see them at my house, or maybe we go out for a meal. I find hanging out in non-babyproofed houses fairly stressful, but I do it on occasion.

We went to my moms house today which is like an amusement park of death traps for a toddler. My mom is a terrible housekeeper in addition to having all kinds of totally non-baby-safe stuff (think "rusted curios salvaged from a scrap metal place because they looked cool" or "frog skeletons she found on the dock") on low bookcases around the house. My mom went and got 4 wiffle balls and put them in a basket - I think she thought that my kid would be so enthralled with them that he wouldn't want to explore anything else? As I was on the floor playing with him and the basket I find SOME SORT OF PILL IN THE BASKET. REALLY MOM?!

Anyway, today was one of many similar times and I don't want to go over to her house with him any more. She is disappointed and thinks I'm being an uptight mom and overreacting. I find it stressful to manage my son at her house, and I think it would be more enjoyable for me and for him to hang out w/ grandma in an environment where I don't have to contantly redirect/remove/say no.

/vent. But honestly, my question is...do (or did) you hang out at people's houses that dont' have kids/are not kid-proofed? Esp with a mega curious, into-everything toddler?

RondackHiker

I also find it really tiring to hang out with DS in very cluttered areas. Now I can relax my guard a bit, but when he was younger, it was overwhelming.

If your Mom's place is that bad, I could see saying no extended visits till he is older. O

MintBerryCrunch

We do it infrequently, because as you are aware, it sucks. My MILs house is a deathtrap of staircases and sharp objects. People would leave the door to the basement stairs open all.the.time. There is no relaxing for mama there at all. Grandparents in law

littlestjerry

Yes, and it's not fun at all. MIL's house is much like your mom's, plus pretty dirty. Every table has 1,000 picture frames and knick-knacks. There are 2 sets of open stairs. She likes to light a fire in the fireplace and leave it open with no screen or

MagickalNarwhal

Great, that's about all I needed to say no more visits at her house for now!

Snapdragon750

I don't mind, but that's only because it takes DD 20 minutes in a new place to let go of my skirt and wander off more than 2 feet from me, and even then she won't leave my sight.  Then if I say "no" to DD in a strange place she startles and backs

MagickalNarwhal

CTGirl30:

Ugh.

Could you still go over but spend the time mainly playing outdoors on a blanket or bring a kiddie pool?

MagickalNarwhal

Snapdragon750:

I don't mind, but that's only because it takes DD 20 minutes in a new place to let go of my skirt and wander off mor

klondikebar

None of my family members' homes were babyproofed. It was a little more exhausting than being in a babyproofed home, but it was only a short while when the kids were in the getting-into-everything stage. I didn't let it stop me from regular visits. That s

Nita2603

ILs house is not baby proofed but it is pretty ok. They throw a gate in front of the stairs and THEY follow the boy around.

Other than that, I try not to go to non baby proofed houses. It's stressful and I don't need that.

alli&dan

I'd say my mom and MIL's house is minimally babyproofed and I get nervous at both houses. Minimal like outlet covers and maybe a gate, or a piece of furniture to keep DD out of the kitchen. I've actually gone around my mom's house and picked things u

Mrs.G123

Omg OP, I could have written the same thing about my parent's house. I dread having another crawling/toddling baby there. They live 700 miles away though, so at least there is that.

shortstuff15

mbenit4:

I don't mind a non babyproofed home but a hoarders house uh no.

This is me.  Granted we