Grandma doesn't know everything
One of the biggest challenges I face as a childproofer is speaking about child safety with grandparents. Most grandparents think that since they raised children to adulthood that they must know everything there is to know about child safety. Unfortunately this couldn't be further from the truth. The reality is that often their ideas about child safety are outdated by 20-30 years. Many things have changed since they raised kids.
30 years ago, car seats weren't required for children riding in cars. Can you imagine going anywhere without properly restraining your kids in car seats today?
It wasn't until the mid 1990's that the American Academy of Pediatrics made recommendations regarding putting babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. The risk to children when bad sharing with adults was addressed in the late 90's as well.
It wasn't until the 1980's that doctors discouraged women from smoking and drinking during pregnancy.
Pool safety has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Some states now have laws requiring safety fencing around new residential pools.
Child safety products available today are so much safer and better than anything available years ago.
The bottom line is that your child's safety is your responsibility. While advice and help from Grandparents is welcome and appreciated, do your own research and trust your own parental instincts.
Read this article from CNN:
