Safety gate problem

[tigwig]

Right, I have a 9mth old very adventurous little boy and already have a stairgates fitted on all stairs (I live in a 3 storey house). So here's my problem, on the bottom floor, the bannister finishes on the 2nd step up so he just climbs onto the bottom step, stands up at the gate and leans back not giving a hoot about the fact that if he lets go he will fall backwards down the step and really hurt himself! Does anyone have any ideas on whether there is anything that can be fitted to prevent him from doing this? I do obviously supervise him but there is always times when I can't watch him and being a childminder I cannot keep my eyes on him all the time. He is very determined and just goes back to do it again when moved. (not quite got the jist of the word no!)

[zzxxee]

you should keep a 9 month in eye sight at all times fact and if your job prevents you from doing it you shouldnt be working
sorry to be so blunt but that is my opinion

[ummmm]

That's completely unrealistic zzxxee....

[zzxxee]

ok maybe the shouldnt be working bit, however if her job is taking her away from looking out for a nine months olds safety, then maybe it would be better for her to get a childminder herself whilst she is looking after other peoples children.

[ummmm]

There are laws about how many children a child minder can look after. You cannot realistically watch them all at the same time. That's why you provide a safe environment with gates and locks...

[zzxxee]

cant be that safe ummmm if her child keeps falling down,
how would you feel if you payed for your baby to be looked after in a safe environment and it ended up with a lump on the head ?????

[ummmm]

It's one step...he's a baby...they fall over...she's looking for a solution.

My kids have had various accidents at nursery and school...

[ummmm]

Plus she didn't say he keeps falling. She said if he let go he will fall...

[zzxxee]

she says in her post he really hurt himself so who knows what the extent of the injuries were? it could be worse next time
i would put in a longer banister so the saftey gate can be fitted at the bottom of the stairs.

[ummmm]

She said...

stands up at the gate and leans back not giving a hoot about the fact that if he lets go he will fall backwards down the step and really hurt himself!

[redcrx]

tigwig doesnt say that he has hurt himself, just that he doesnt realise that he could.

[zzxxee]

best answer i think vibra problem sorted end of x

[zzxxee]

yes my mistake about saying he had hurt himself i read it to quickly appologies tigwig xx

[chrissa1]

Bean bags at the bottom of the stairs??

[annie0000]

Barbed wire across the top?

My son has a spy set that has a little sensor thing with a beam that if you cross it emits an alarm - really annoying, but it stops his little brother sneaking into his room! I guess you could put that at the bottom of the stairs and the sound might drive him away from them.

Mt elder son used to hate getting his hands sticky so I used to put a bit of honey across the top of the gate to stop him trying to open it - worked for long enough until his curiosity waned.

[I.Don No]

It does not matter how adventurous your 9month old is....he should never be out of your sight.......end of!

[tigwig]

zzxxee do you have children of your own? How an earth can you watch a child constantly? What about when you are in the toilet? Cooking in the kitchen? Emptying the dishwasher or washing machine? All the normal things anyone does whilst at home caring for a baby. You cannot so don't make me out to be a bad mother because that is very unfair and I find a lot of your comments quite hurtful especially suggesting that the children in my care aren't safe. I can absolutely say that this is not the case and this is my own child I am talking about and the children I mind for do not do this because they are old enough to understand no where as my baby isn't yet. He also has never fallen from it yet either, this is what I am trying my damnest to avoid.
I was hoping for an idea like you have suggested to make the bannister longer but would have no idea how to do this without it looking like a complete mess.

[jamesnan]

We used to use a playpen - are they still sold?