As a father of three, I can confidently say that parenting becomes increasingly complex with each new addition to the family. The kids never seem to sleep at the same time, and their moods are rarely in sync—it’s a juggling act of epic proportions. Each child brings their own unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to childproofing the home. With my eldest, it was relatively simple; I only had to keep an eye on him. But as each subsequent child came along, I found myself facing a whole new level of chaos, thanks to the “teamwork” of older siblings who seem to take childproofing as a personal challenge.
For anyone considering a bigger family, let me assure you that childproofing becomes progressively more intricate with each child. Here are some amusing ways older siblings can sabotage your safety measures:
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“It Was Hilarious!”
I can’t quite grasp how “but it was hilarious” serves as a valid defense, yet my kids often use this excuse to justify their antics. Whether it’s leaving the front door unlocked so their little sibling can streak into the yard or encouraging them to try something they shouldn’t, this phrase is a constant refrain that seems to render my warnings moot. -
The “Big Helper”
My eldest, Max, loves to play the role of the big helper. For instance, he once showed his younger sister how to bypass a child lock on a cabinet. We even installed a tricky latch on the gate at the top of our stairs to keep them safe, but Max figured it out by age four, and he frequently opened it for his curious one-year-old sister. Despite my repeated requests for him not to help her, his desire to assist often led to precarious situations. I can still picture the moment he let Lucy through the gate and I was left scrambling to catch her before she tumbled down the stairs. -
“Let Me Show You”
Kids love sharing knowledge, but their lessons rarely involve anything constructive like reading or cleaning up. Instead, older siblings often teach the younger ones how to bend the rules or defeat childproofing measures. While my firstborn had to learn everything on his own, my younger ones seem to pick up these tricks at lightning speed, often months ahead of where their older sibling was at that age. -
The Distraction Technique
My youngest daughter, Emma, has a knack for getting into trouble. She has soaked two laptops, submerged a cell phone in the toilet, and even broken an iPad—all while we were preoccupied with a sibling squabble or a diaper change. No matter how far we think we’ve placed things out of reach, she always finds a way to break through our defenses. -
“But She Wanted It!”
I’ve walked in to find chairs dragged next to counters, giving little hands access to all sorts of mischief. Just last week, I caught Emma reaching into the toilet thanks to Max’s help in bypassing the door guard. When I confronted him about it, he simply said, “She wanted it.” This phrase has become a common excuse in our household, and despite my best efforts to curtail this behavior, it persists.
While there are countless other strategies older siblings employ to thwart your childproofing efforts, it’s crucial to continue prioritizing safety. Each child presents a new set of hurdles, and vigilance is key. Thankfully, my wife and I have mostly managed to keep our kids out of harm’s way, but it’s no easy feat.
The reality check is this: you can’t rely solely on childproofing. The true challenge lies in monitoring the interactions of all your children and hoping for the best. If you ever needed a reason to believe in divine intervention, childproofing with older siblings will surely provide it.
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Summary:
Navigating childproofing with older siblings can be a hilarious yet daunting task. Each child brings their own challenges, and older siblings often find creative ways to bypass safety measures. From becoming unwitting accomplices to acting as “big helpers,” older kids can complicate the already intricate process of keeping younger ones safe. It’s essential to stay vigilant and adapt your strategies as your family grows, all while embracing the chaos that comes with parenting.