Kris

One of my earliest memories is cutting clay with a sharp paring knife. I was in my high chair and my grandmother was sitting right by me. I don't remember having cut myself.

Jonathan (5 and fascinated with ANY blade) has been using sharp knives for over a year. He has not cut himself yet. My first instinct/knee-jerk reaction was to say no but couldn't justify it so I said yes with some requests.

We have guidelines/rules/principles, ie; I have to be near him in case there is an accident. Call them what you will, he and I talk about them and he knows they are something I insist on to keep him safe. He understands why I ask for these things and doesn't seem to feel they are arbitrary. I think of them as an agreement between a boy who knows I worry and a mom who tries to say no as little as possible.

Kris


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[email protected]

In a message dated 5/25/03 7:11:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
louisa@... writes:

> We have guidelines/rules/principles, ie; I have to be near him in case
> there is an accident. Call them what you will, he and I talk about them and he
> knows they are something I insist on to keep him safe. He understands why I
> ask for these things and doesn't seem to feel they are arbitrary. I think of
> them as an agreement between a boy who knows I worry and a mom who tries to
> say no as little as possible.
>
> Kris
>

I understand completely. That is how I would describe those kinds of
situations in our home too. We don't have guns, so that is a non-issue. We do
have knives, and all sorts of other things kids can get hurt with ( tools,
machinery, etc). They can use them as long as there is an adult available to
supervise. (when they are too young to manage them safely alone)

Teresa


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[email protected]

In a message dated 5/25/2003 7:11:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
louisa@... writes:
> I think of them as an agreement between a boy who knows I worry and a mom
> who tries to say no as little as possible.

Bingo.

~Kelly


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Robyn Coburn

Jayn was almost three when she got hold of a small mat knife and was
pretending to pick a lock on the bedroom door. I don't know why she
wanted to play that particular game. We had talked about being careful
with scissors and sharp things before. I came upon her and was a little
alarmed about it, and said something about being very careful. She gave
me a withering look and said in a tone as if it were beyond obvious, "I
am being careful".

Robyn Coburn





<<One of my earliest memories is cutting clay with a sharp paring knife.
I was in my high chair and my grandmother was sitting right by me. I
don't remember having cut myself.>>





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