"Childproofing" Tips Needed

Hi L.!

I was always scared of houseplants, therefore, I narrowed my collection to a hanging plant in the living room and some herbs in the kitchen window. I then turned my focus to my outdoor flower beds and porches! We have such great defined seasons in NE Georgia, unlike anywhere else in the country, so I researched low maintenance gardening and went to work!! After four years in Lawrenceville, I am now at a point that I only have to plant a handful of annuals in the spring. I bring my hanging pots in from the cold winters (you could store them in your garage or basement, or maybe on top of an entertainment center or china cabinet away from your son), and fertilize them regularly until it is warm enough for them to go back to the porches.

If you live in or near Gwinnett County, check out Home Depot Landscape Supply on I-85 near the Civic Center.

If you live in or around Lawrenceville, visit Creative Enterprises on Hi Hope Lane. It is a day center for Autistic and otherwise Mentally Challenged teens and adults. They run a spectacular greenhouse, animal shelter, and pottery studio. Everything is VERY reasonably priced. Some of the clients of the program are my current and former students. They grow everything from seed. They have indoor and outdoor plants. They also have a large variety of vegetables and herbs (another great hobby for NE GA residents). This year, we stocked our entire yard, including veggies and herbs, for 50.00 from Creative. Directions from ATL: I 85 North to Hwy 316. Follow 316 East to Hi Hope Road (3rd red light). LEFT on Hi Hope. Follow to Hi Hope Lane (Just past police dept). LEFT on Hi HOpe Lane. Center will be on LEFT. When looking at the building, the greenhouse is on the LEFT. PS...Take your son. They have kitties and bunnies (in cages) and a pet Pot Bellied Pig name Mary (not caged, but in her own house), as well as a pond with lili pads and other water plants (also for sale!).

Good luck!
S.

Hi L.,

I have a cat and dog myself, and have been in your situation with the kiddos(now ages 6 and 3) getting into their food and water, plants etc...!

It sounds like your son is just at that age of mobility and curiousity where he is going to explore and investigate anything new and fascinating he comes upon. I found it less stressful to simply remove plants and anything that has sentimental value to you until he is a bit older and can more easily comprehend why he shouldn't be touching/playing with these things.

Obviously, you can't put away the dog's water bowl, so you may just need to tell your son in a firm voice, "No, we don't touch the doggy's water--then refocus him to a toy that he can play with in another room. Speaking of other rooms, we also found it helpful to have another water bowl for our dog and cat upstairs in our bathroom -then fill the one downstairs with water only in the evening when the girls were asleep.

By the time the girls were 2, they were interested in bigger and better things!

Hope this helps, and welcome to Atlanta!
J.

Hi L.,

My name is S. and I live in the midtown Atlanta area. I have a daughter who was born 9/14/05, so she is just a few weeks younger than your son. I work part-full time, depending on how busy we are at work. My schedule is very flexible though. I would love to chat with you and possibly meet for a playdate or something. I, too, am looking for new "Mom" friends and cool women. My social life before my baby definitely doesn't "mesh" with my life today. I would love to meet some new friends with whom I have something in common. I look forward to hearing from you. S.

Hi L., My name is L. too and I have a 12 month old daughter, as well as a 5 year old son and a 12 year old daughter. Unfortunately, I don't have any advice other than when ever we are in the kitchen ( where the dog bowl is) I have to put the bowl up. I've also had to move any houseplants out of reach. At this age, they just don't understand "no" and you can't reason with them yet! Good luck and if you get any good tips other than moving everything please pass them on to me..I could sure use them!

Good luck getting settled in and I hope you'll be happy here!

L.