Sunday, January 25, 2009

Oh no. Please, no.

So. Henry. You know this is going to be good, don't you? Anyways, ever since Henry figured out how to launch himself out of his crib, his bedtime and nap routine has consisted of us tucking him in and shutting the door. He'd cry for a minute and then go to sleep. He'd sometimes fall asleep on the floor right inside the door, but we'd move him into his bed if he did that. Wow, written out that routine sounds downright cruel, but we tried everything else. In Henry's ideal world he would NEVER sleep, and if he has any type of audience (like, say, his mom or dad laying down with him in an attempt to get him to fall asleep) he will NOT sleep. The boy can stay awake FOREVER. So anyways, the other day Henry showed me how he could open the basement door (make note AI Dupont - I can see an accident just waiting to happen!). He was really proud of himself. So Ed said we'd get a lock for the top of the door. No biggie. Last night, however, 7pm came around, Ed got Henry ready for bed, tucked him in, and shut the door. 5 minutes later, Henry was back in the living room. So Ed took him back up, shut the door, came downstairs. And 3 minutes later, Henry was back. Yes, Henry can open his OWN door, too. Shoot me now. I have no idea what to do with the little monkey. Ed said we should lock his door, but I have one of those "what if the house caught on fire and the key was lost or got really hot and..." fears so locking the door won't work. And I guess CPS frowns on duct tape. Ideas, anyone?!? He better be an angelic teenager for everything he's putting me through as a toddler!

5 comments:

2Forgetful said...

I've had other moms recommend turning the door knob around so that it locks from the outside. (the kind of knob that locks without a key) This way you don't need a key to unlock it but can keep him in. Plus, he'll never accidently lock himself in the room. Plus, if there ever was a fire, doors can be broken into other ways. :-)

So far we have one of those childproof doorknob covers on the inside of the door that bought us an extra 2 months. Our next step is to switch out their door knob.

Unknown said...

We used the child proof door knob cover thingees.. it worked until dd was about 3... hope that helps!

sonn said...

We have used both those ideas!

Be warned though, with turning the doorknob inside out... twice now I have managed to lock myself in Amy's room, because I am the queen of being oh so clever :)

Oh, and keep telling yourself what an incredibly SMART and manually skilled child Henry is, and how well this will serve him as an adult. And have another martini. That works for me.

Stacia said...

We use a babygate. That way if the door opens they are still have to stay inside the room.
Well.........thinking of who I am talking about, I doubt that would do much for Henry! LOL!

Nicole said...

My parents put a lock on the outside of my brother's door...the ones that slide into the latch. Then, out of fear of being reported to CPS took the door off the hinges and sawed off the top 25% of the door, replaced it on the hinges and was relieved.

Then he started piling dressers, boxes and other large items.....