Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The Winds of Change

We took down the gates!

Ever since we moved into this house, there have been two gates on the main floor. That way the kids were confined to the family room, kitchen, and one hallway. It was wonderful. I baby-proofed the heck out of those rooms and only had to worry about the rest of the house a little bit. When I went to take a shower of whatever, I knew where the kids were. Their trouble-making was limited.

But I decided it was time for them to go. Last night for Family Home Evening we talked about how the gates were really for babies who don't know how to follow the rules. And we don't have any babies anymore. So we don't need the gates anymore, right? Right? Because you can all follow the rules? RIGHT? ... Then we went on a tour of the house and when we were in each room we talked about whether playing in that room was allowed. Family room, yes. Mommy's bedroom, no. Boys room, yes. Naomi's room, only if she says so. Etc.

So far it's going really well. No major catastrophes. At one point this morning Asher yelled up the stairs to me, "Mom!?!". "What?" I asked over the banister. "I just flew my airplane into the living room!" "Is that allowed?" I inquired. "Nope." he replied and went back into the family room.

Wish us luck!

2 comments:

angela michelle said...

sounds like a great plan. good luck! maybe the kids will enjoy being able to drift a bit further from each other now.

Rebecca said...

oh what a great new step in your life! I'm with Angela, sounds like a great plan.