MIL doesn't baby proof her house?

May 23, 2011

By Yahoo! Answers

I love my mother in-law to bits and she's a great woman but when it comes to her house, well, she's not so clean. I have 3 small children, aged 4 yrs, 2 yrs and 6 months. She leaves stuff around that could potentially harm my children and when we visit I am forever picking up knives, scissors, pins and needles and small objects everywhere. I've spoken to my husband about this as it concerns me. One time when my 4 yr old was smaller, he grabed some of her medication that was in the bottle and said it was candies. I told him no and he's old enough now to understand but the 2 yr old and 6 month old are my worries. My husband wants our 2 yr old to start sleeping over sometimes to his moms house with our 4 yr old but it scares me that he might get into something when she's not watching. My husband has spoken to her about this before but she still doesn't clean up after herself and they get into an argument over it. My parents on the other hand do baby proof their house and they know how we feel about it. I am not saying they are perfect but they respected what we say and they pick up and clean their house. They are smokers and I asked my parents if they could not smoke in their house anymore as my kids come over. They totally agreed and smoke outside. They know the risks of 2nd hand smoke and don't want that near the grandchildren. Now what do I do about my MIL and her dirty house? I just got into an argument with my husband about it again and I think I have him seeing through my eyes and he said he will talk to her again. Do you think we should tell her if she doesn't clean up and pick up and put away the harmful objects away that her grandkids will not be coming over to visit and sleep over some times? Just the other day we went over for dinner and she had scissors out on her coffee table and a knife! I had to remove them from the table and she seen me do this but didn't say anything. Do you think I am over reacting? I don't really let them out of my sight when we are there as there is so much clutter and stuff to get into it. She's kind of a border line hoarder if you wish and stuff is all over the place. So she may not even know harmful stuff is laying around her house. I don't know, what do I do????

Baby proofing is a must...but it's your job to make sure you leave your kid in a safe place so...WITH the kiddies go on 'safety patrol' each time you go there....finding and picking up harmful objects....Oh the scissors go away because they're not for kiddies to play with. Nana's medicine needs to be put away because the wrong medicine will make us sick. Your mother in law will hear it, the kids will experience and understand it, and you will feel better about leaving your kids there because you have baby proofed it to your liking. As for the cleaning...gift her a maid perhaps, or even play it off like your helping her tidy up the mess the kids made...after they've visited...that way again you get the place the way you like it :) Just a thought.
Was this article helpful?Yes ()  |  No ()

Tags

Want to participate in online communities? Read State Farm's Community Guidelines first.

This Learning Center provides general information about insurance and financial services products, as well as other general content, and is provided for educational purposes only. Read More

Some content on this site includes content, information, or opinions provided by third parties or other sources. Content, information or opinions provided by third parties or other sources do not necessarily represent the opinions of State Farm and should not be interpreted as reflecting State Farm's position regarding any insurance product or the manner by which State Farm handles claims.

State Farm does not warrant any content, information, or opinions of any third party or other source. Articles or content about insurance or financial services or other general content do not necessarily represent products or services offered by State Farm. This Learning Center may link to or interface with other Internet sites that State Farm does not maintain or control. State Farm does not sponsor or endorse those sites or the content, information, materials, or information on those sites. State Farm is not responsible for anything contained on such sites and makes no warranties or representations about the information, opinions, contents, products, or services offered on such sites. Not all of the products or services discussed on this site are available through State Farm. The information on this site is not a contract, binder, or agreement to extend insurance coverage. Any coverage descriptions provided on this site are general descriptions and are not a statement of contract. All applications are subject to underwriting approval. Coverages and availability may vary by state or province.

Life Insurance and Annuities Issued By:
State Farm Life Insurance Company (Not Licensed in MA, NY, or WI)
State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (Licensed in NY and WI)
Bloomington, IL

Questions?

Find a local agent below, or call us anytime at
1-800-447-4930

Get a Rate Quote Now

Facebook Activity