More stellar advice . . .

[ebethmom]

We were at a church picnic last weekend, and I just have to share this little gem. I was telling a churchmember (CM)how 14 month dd is my nature girl - she would spend all day outside if we could. But it's *hot* and buggy, and I need my air-conditioning breaks.

This CM lives down the street from the parsonage (our home) so she knows our yard well. She has been over to visit while we've been playing outside, so I know she has seen our incredibly tall playset. She says "You must really enjoy that fenced in area. You can just leave her in there and not worry."

I explained to her that dd is a climber, and she can climb the ladder to the 6 foot platform by herself. She can't reach the big step to the 9 foot or 12 foot platforms yet, but the 6 foot is scary enough!!

CM asks "Couldn't you just gate it off?" I guess I could, but that would still leave a million other little dangers for a 14 month old BABY. She is still a baby! She needs my help to navigate her world.

I know it has been a long time since she raised her babies, but *my goodness*! I really don't think so!

[JamesMama]

:nut Thats insane...that must be an older generation, but I can't imagine even back then it would be okay to send a 1 y/o outside alone!! From the mouths of :flipped

[Crunchier]

wow, I'm iffy about sending my almost 3 yr old outside alone (in a fenced yard of course). I'd like to, but not sure if I actually would do it.

[phathui5]

I let my 4 year old out back by himself. Sometimes I let my 2 year old out there with him, but then I feel like I need to check on her every 2 minutes.

But a 14 month old? No way.

[MamaBug]

I don't like my 7 yr old to be outside without me at least watching out the windows. Ppl amaze me!

[ebethmom]

Right now, this precious bit of advice is our household joke! It's so ludicrous that it's funny. Dh had his long day with the kids yesterday while I taught out-of-town. Dd was fussy and dh was tired when we talked late in the afternoon, so I suggested that he just shut the gates and go catch a ballgame on TV. :LOL Dd would have probably *climbed* the fence by the time he got back!

And this advice just pales compared to what another churchmember offered up later in the week. This *other* churchwoman went to dh's office to tell him that she wanted to talk to me about out 4 year old ds. Apparently, she thinks he needs a "good swat on the rear."

This is what *she* needs: :moon :moon :moon :moon