Dad Needs Response to Silly Question

My friend used to think it was safe to let her daughter walk around with a toothbrush in her moutn until she fell and knocked her tooth out. I definately wouldn't let her walk with a fork. It isn't worth the risk.

Definitely not a good idea. No child should walk or run around with any sharp object. It is very dangerous.

No not ok...wait until she is much older. Experiencing life is ok when kids have enough experience to understand life a little more.

BIG FAT NO!!! If she tripped, there goes her eye.

Hi R.!
You really do need help. No offense to your wife - but forks are not good things to let your 11 month old walk around with. Experiencing life is one thing - but to not protect them from harm is unthinkable. At this age you can change their focus onto other things so easily that she can be easily distracted with something else in her hand. To let her hold it when she eats is great, but you are right on with your concern. And there is no such thing as a silly question where your daugher's life is at risk. I'm sure you wife is a good mom. Isn't it a great thing that there are two of you (parents) to watch over your sweet baby girl? So much of what you know and learn as a parent comes with experience. Hopefully they are good experiences. The bad experiences are the ones you hopefully learn from someone else's experience. Anything that can puncture skin when a child falls is good to keep away from them. Love and support each other as parents and don't get into the bad habit of undermining the judgement of each other. You need to build each other up. And especially be supportive and encouraging to each other. Being a new parent, first time parent, 6th time parent, is a difficult thing because it's a 24/7 responsibility. You need to make sure you take time for each other so you can be good parents together. Hope that makes sense. Good luck!

NO!!!!

On the same subject, it is not OK to ski with a sucker in their mouth, either. (Just saw this with a 1st grader from our school skiing with her dad.) They may not like it that you are saying "no," but they might as well get use to it. And Father Knows Best!!

R.:

I totally agree w/ you! It's definitely not safe to let your little girl walk around the house w/ a fork in her hand. She can get hurt! There's ways to experience life w/o poking yourself w/ a fork.

I would have to agree with you about not walking with a fork in her hand. I know one of my sons needed to have something in one hand to make him feel a little more comfortable walking. Give her something that is not so dangerous. Experiencing life does not mean setting her up to lose an eye or something horrible like that. Give her something else to hold while walking. Plastic foods with a chicken leg in it is fun and not as dangerous. Best of luck to you.

I am a mother of two, a 25 year old son and 23 year old daughter. I may have been a little over protective but neither of them got to use a fork, or touch one till they were alot older. Your wife sounds alot like my husband, his favorite saying was "They will only do it once!". Believe me that child has enough life experience coming up. Good luck

NO, not unless you want her to experience life without and eye, after she falls and sticks the fork in her eye or throat or any place that when she falls, it will inevitably poke or pierce some body part. Take it from a nurse, they are not ready to walk around with adult untensils! In my opinion they should not ever be allowed to wals/run/stumble with adult untensils for many years to come. Even the kids plasic safety forks are not good to play with.

I'm almost sure the answer is NO! Children don't know anything. You wouldn't let her eat a poisonous plant, you wouldn't let her run into a busy street. You wouldn't let her drink alcohol. These things she might want to do as well but we as adults have to teach them and show them what is safe and not safe. Like my Mom said don't run with that(__________) in your hand you could poke an eye out. It's true. How would you feel if it did happen? Could you afford the medical bills?? We are all born with an innate sense of right and wrong, good and evil. If it's the screaming that you'll find unattractive if you took the fork from her just replace it with something bright and soft and distract her. Give her a package of crackers or a sponge, something that will get her attention. She'll learn from you what's ok to run around with.

These are the learning years show her the right way.
T.

If you let her run around with a fork, just make sure that you watch her closely. You should give her a duller fork though, just to be on the safe side.

WOW you've had A LOT of responses. The short answer is obviously no forks. The somewhat longer answer is allow you children to do things that can hurt them but not in way that could require a trip to the doctor, my son is very inquisitive and loves to figure out how to do things himself and has since day one. I have always let him get into any drawers that I knew had nothing dangerous in them and that he couldn't pull out on top of him. Whenever he was playing with them I would warn him to be careful that he didn't smash his fingers and leave it at that because none of the drawers were heavy enough to do more than pinch a little, after only a few times of pinching his fingers he learned two very important lessons, 1st to be more careful of drawers and doors, he never gets his fingers stuck in a door because he already learned the lesson with the drawer, and 2nd to listen to my warnings because they are only for his good and not to keep him from having fun. I did this with him when he was only about 6 months old and have used the same principle with swings, and other things and he has learned very quickly that way and can be much more independent because of it. Just make sure that you can control the extent of harm so that the lesson is taught without any real harm.

Good luck, don't divorce your wife just work it out, I'm sure she loves your son as much as you do and doesn't want anything to really harm him either, she just hasn't thought tis one through completely.

NOT SAFE!
My little guy was walking around with a little hammer to a toy xylophone in his hand. no problem I thought. He put it in his mouth and fell, jamming it down his throat. I was headed out of the room when I saw it happen, when I got to him (1 second) he could not breath as the hammer had completely sealed off his throat. I had to yank the thing out of his esophagus. If I had not seed the incident, my child would have been unconscoius by the time I found him.
The problem isn't the fork. The problem is what if...what if she has to scratch her eye and then she looses balance at the same time jamming the fork into her eye. Give her a spoon (preferably one that is way to large to fit in her throat). You never know what life will bring, and she has many years to "experience life" but why would you ask your child to play with something that you are pretty sure could injure her?
LIghters and hairspray are a lot funner than forks...teach her how to make a flame thrower.
Protect her from things that are worth protecting her from, such as loosing an eye, or getting hit by a car. Let her climb on things and explore, but not on the hot stove. Common sense should dictate what things you let your kids do.

No! It is not ok. Parents should let their children experience things, but it is the parents responsibility to protect their children. Your child doesn't need to experience a trip to the ER. Check out the following website if you have any other doubt in your mind.

http://www.kidshealthnotes.com/2007/09/15/theres-a-fork-t...

We all want our children to learn, and part of learning is making mistakes. However, it's our job as parents to make sure these are "affordable mistakes." Is the potential consequence of a one-year-old falling and hurting herself with a sharp implement an affordable mistake...can you live with the cost? I want my toddler to know that she shouldn't put her fingers on a hot stove, but I'm not willing to let her burn herself to learn that lesson or have that particular life experience. I would say let your child have control over the small choices (and mistakes) in her world that she can realistically comprehend. Then protect her from the ones that she can't.

No Never let them run with any sharp objects if your wife needs a visual of what could happen please go to kidshealthnews.com and in the search box on the right type in- boy fork click the article pictures will come up. Please intervene and take the fork from the child she has no use for it if she is walking around find a safer toy.

Experience life yes, but to endanger is another thing. We allow our children to explore and to experience life, but walking around with a fork would not be on my list of "experiencing life." My husband is a paramedic and has seen kids with forks stabbed into them. Ask her if she would like your child to have both of his/her own eye balls.

OK, here goes...11 month old baby falls while walking with fork in hand...stabs eye and is blinded for life. In walks Family Services concerned about parents ability to handle common sense rearing of child...particularily body or life threatening issues. Family and friends are surprised (or maybe not)that a husband and wife would NOT know better. Why do you think your question is silly??? Probably because you KNOW how unsafe the circumstance is and you feel that asking the question is silly because it has an obvious intelligent answer that you already know in your heart is right.

Age appropriate life experiences are normal...baby walking with fork in hand is NOT normal to allow. It is your job as a parent to allow life experiences with low consequences...stabbing oneself with a fork at that age is HUGE if you consider blindness or other bodily harm that could last a lifetime...R., your smart...take the lead!

No! She does not need to stab herself in the eye with a fork. You might as well give her a knife to play with. Maybe let her carry around one of her own spoons instead......

I hate to admit it, but dad, I think you are correct. Let your child experience life but not at risk of injuring themselves. Would your wife want her to experience a plane crash? A car accident? Walking in the middle of traffic?

Do you hold her hand in a parking lot? Use a car seat? If so, she's not experiencing life.

Take the fork!

Personally, I won't even let my 3 and 4 yr olds walk around with a fork in their hands... Forks are for eating with, not roaming the house with. What if they stuck it in an electrical socket? What if they tripped and fell? What if they thought it would "clean" your tv really well? Too many what ifs, I agree that your child should experience life, but parents are there to help them do it safely...

If the child went on a balcony that didn't have rails, would your wife just let her go to the edge, stating they had to experience life? God gave children parents to teach them proper principals and keep them safe. I vote with you! Your wife sounds like she is shirking her responsibility as a parent or is trying to justify her letting the child have a fork in the first place.

This is not a "silly question"! A child of this age is incapable of making good and safe choices; that is why the good Lord gave her parents and didn't have her crawl out of the sand on a beach somewhere without parents! As parents, we are to raise them up, keep them safe, teach them to be respectful and responsible, and make good choices. We do let our children take their lumps to "experience life", but only if it will not leave severe and lasting damage; they will inflict enough of this on their own long after they leave our home. The questions to ask yourself is "Would I survive it myself with little or no damage?" and "If I knew the possible outcome, would I avoid the situation all together given the choice?" Would you let her touch a hot stove, take a bath alone or eat something that would make her sick to "experience life"? A fork in the face, neck or eye could be very devastating and traumatic for everyone; ER visits aren't fun. There have been young children impailed by toothbrushes! If the toothbrush is pulled out after being lodged near the jugular vein, the vessel can be ruptured and the child could bleed to death in a matter of minutes. Keep her safe; there's lots of "experience life" events without letting her potentially harm herself. If my children were badly injured doing something I could have prevented, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. I am a mom of four, 16, 12, 7 and a SIDS daughter that would have been 9 this year. To date, we have not had any severe injuries or accidents; for this I am very grateful! Enjoy her for time passes quickly.
Best Wishes!
A.

NO! It is not okay to let a child who doesn't want to wear a seat belt in the car not wear one either. There are certain things a parent has to choose for the child. This is one of them. I doubt an 11 month old would make such a connection in choices at the moment she experiences pain from loosing her eyeball.

I personally would not let her walk around with the fork. She is not that coordinated, and I would hate for her to fall and stab herself. If she really wants her to be able to experience life, then give her a spoon. There is a less of a chance you will have to make a trip to the ER

NO NO NO I have seen so many kids get hurt by doing that, if your 11month needs sometrhing in her hand to walk with make it somthing soft or eatable. I use to let my kids walk around with a baby cookie in there hand. at lest with that I know that they were not going to end up in the ER

I say "get a new wife" (just kidding!!) Your child needs to "experience life" but.........not in that way & NOT at 11 months!! I agree with you (dad), teach your child safety, does she let her walk around with scissors & knives also????

wandering around with a sharp object at any age I would say no to if she falls on it and stabs her self she could cause permanent injury there is nothing wrong with experiencing life but is she going to set rules like watch for cars or wait until she gets hit ?

I think your wife may actually feel that letting the baby run around with a fork is not a good thing. I think there may be more to the story than that. Maybe I'm wrong, but I picture it like your wife wasn't paying attention for whatever reason, and you found the baby running around with a fork. Maybe you freaked out and started criticising her. Maybe using an unintelligent defense tactic, she defended herself by saying it's no big deal. She probably actually just felt guilty about the fork being in reach, and not paying attention to her. Try to be sypathetic, and patient. She wants to be a perfect Mom, and admitting she made a mistake is hard. Your approach can make a difference.

I would say no. Try giving her a spoon to walk with. It will all be ok with your wife until your daughter falls and pokes her eye out or even worse. You are right to say no about the fork!!!! Stand your ground, because this is a safety issue.

Way to go Dad. I agree with you. A fork is not what a early walker should be walking around with. If she falls it could do serious, permsnent damage. That's beyond experiencing life.

Good job on not being the crazy dad dumping your kid upside. It is a legitimate question.

Absolutely no sharp objects. What happens if this little one falls and runs this into her eye?

I know you already have so many responses saying the same thing, but I just had to put my two cents in saying I agree with them all and honestly kinda shocked that a parent or anyone in that matter would think it's ok to let a baby who just learned to walk, walk around with a fork. First, why does she need a fork? Why is that even an option to have? Second, since when is getting a fork poked through your nose, or your eye called "experiencing life"? That's a kind of life I would not want my son experiencing. You are right on with your initial feelings about keeping your baby safe. Sounds like you might be the one who is gonna be the "no" person, but it's worth it to keep your little one safe, good luck!

I agree with you. NO ask her if she wants to see a scar on your daughters face for the rest of her life and say "thats life". Sorry but thats how it could go. And thats not even the worse case, she could loose an eye. 4 weeks she still doesn't have good balance and even if its been 4 months like my daughter that she has been walking. They see things, they turn and fall. I say no. Its that simple.

I take it your wife hasn't seen that email with the fork through the kids nose. Hopefully this will change her mind!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/____@____.com/1040976473/

My doctor frequently says "I'll never understand why children are given ability before reason and judgment!" I completely agree. My daughter is the same age and started walking at the same time. Isn't it perilous enough that they can get into everything without giving her a sharp object to add to the dangers of everyday life as a toddler? Didn't your wife ever hear about not running with scissors/pencils/pens, etc.? How horribly guilty would you feel if she fell and blinded herself with a fork? In our family, if one of us has a genuine concern and the other doesn't, we address the genuine concern, anyway. It's called compromise.

No! It is absolutely not okay to let her walk around with a fork! Your job as a parent is to keep her safe and provide a safe environment so that she can "experience life" without poking her eye out! How often do you, as an adult, walk around with a fork in your hand?

You're right. And when you have to explain to your 10 year old daughter why she has to wear an eye patch or a glass eye then maybe your wife will understand. She can still experience life without putting herself in danger. Obviously you can't protect her from everything. She's going to fall down, she's going to scrape her knee, but she doesn't have to lose an eye for the sake of "experiencing life." For the record, no child of any age should be running around with a fork. Forks belong at the dinner table.

NO forks while walking! I have 19 month old twins and they are very capable at walking and running and carrying things. BUT they only get utensils while sitting in their high chairs or on the floor. Even spoons. I don't want to deal with choking, I would rather play it safe than have a trip to the E.R. I hope that is helpful.

I agree with you. It is dangerous for an 11 month to walk around with a fork. She could still trip and fall with it and get hurt badly, especially if it hit her eye.

This is definitely NOT a silly question. You should NOT let your child walk around with a fork in her hand. You might as well give her a pair of scissors in her hand. If she falls she could put her eye out or even stab herself in the abdomen or foot. I have heard of so many small children that end up in the emergency room because of so called 'experiencing life' plus you could put yourselves in the awful position of being labeled as abusive parents because you do not try to protect your little one from harm. Don't be paranoid just do what you feel you need to to keep your precious little daughter safe.

I say no as well. I am not an over protective mom by any means but I sure wouldnt let my newly walking child have a fork or anything of that nature (pencil etc). Thats an accident waiting to happen I think.

chris

Hi R.,
My husband and I agree with you. Even when they're good walkers, kids can still trip and fall. Poking her eye out with a fork is not something we'd like our daughter to experience.

Would your wife let her run around with scissors or a knife in her hand? A fork is just as dangerous. Experiencing life is different than putting your child in danger. You need to teach you daughter that it is not safe to walk around with a fork. Tell her forks stay at the table and give her a safe toy to carry around.

I would say carrying a fork around may be a little to dangerous. Yes she needs to experience life but maybe trade that fork for a spoon!

She doesn't need to experience the E.R. that young. Especially when it can be easily avoided! There are some things in life that don't need to be experienced:)Hope this works out and your daughter doesn't get hurt.

Seems to me there is no reason that she needs to be walking around with a fork. You don't play with them, and if you are eating with them, you should be sitting at the table, right? It seems a bit dangerous to me too. I wouldn't encourage that, and would discourage it if I saw it. Why is walking around with a fork in hand "experience(ing) life"? I vote with dad.

I say no! I got a picture from a friend where a little boy was doing that very thing and tripped and fell. The picture is of the little boy with the prongs of the fork going through the nostrils of the little boy! I wish I still had it I would send it to you, but I couldn't look at it again so I deleted it! It was awful! Don't let up on that NO~

There is a difference between learning by doing and dangerous possibilities. No child should be allowed to walk around with a fork, knife, scissors, pencil.
I understand what your wife is trying to promote but, safety must come first. Example: child walks with cup of water-trips it spills. Child learns cause and effect-when I trip it spills the water out of my cup....however, never allow your child to try something that could do serious harm! Would she allow the child to drink poison to learn not to?

There is a proper way to allow your child to explore and learn by doing (the best way for a child to learn) Maybe you can explore a few ideas together so she will understand that somethings even parents can not "undo"
Good Luck! H.

Hello, it is a safety issue. She could choke and hurt herself really seriously. It doesn't really matter how long anyone has been walking, for safety sake and common sense she should not walk with a fork in her mouth.
My two sense.
C. B

mine is 2, has been walking since 9 months and forks are out of the question. Let you baby experience your love--that is the best part of life to experience. Love her enought to put your foot down on the fork.

I agree with you. That's just dangerous. She will have plenty of opportunities to "experience life" without losing an eye.

Honestly! Dad I think your right. I have problems letting mt 4yr old walk around with a fork. Experiencing life is one thing preventing a major accident that could leave life long marks is another. not only could she fall and really hurt herself she could hurt someone else too.

Good luck
raising kids is a blast!!!
M.

I don't mean to be blunt but that seems like common sense to me. Why would anyone want to purposely put their child in danger. I would not let my 4 year old walk around with a fork because accidents happen. It is our jobs as parents to protect our children and litle things like that can, but not necessarliy lead to child protective services at your door with a charge of neglect. It is great to let your child experience things, but safely. Good luck!

I also think that while she needs to experience life, she ALSO needs to learn that forks are ment to only be used at the table. Maybe you can find a little "toy" utensel set that she can play with as a compromise. Then she can pretend play... Good luck!

OMG NO, it is not ok, she's 11 months old.

R.-
I can't believe you wife would allow that! Even at 4 years old I don't let my son walk around with forks or other potentially hazardous things in his hands. You never know when a child will fall, and they won't be thinking about how where that fork is going to end up. So, if I were you I would definately put my foot down on this one, no matter how much your wife gets angry. I mean, what does your daughter gain by walking around with a fork anyways?

No that not ok... is it metal ?? What if she falls and it stabs her in the face, stomach etc. Your wife needs to think of the bigger picture. If she wants her to experince life then have have her take her to the park and let her walk around with no shoes on and feel the grass on her feet. Things like that!! There are many other things to experince life with then to walk around witha fork! We as adults wounld not run around with a knife in our hnds why let our child have a object that could stab them.

I understand your wife not wanting to be too careful. I have that urge myself--to let my son discover things on his own. But what I've learned is that these opportunities can be given in smaller doses. My son is two now, and he is fine with forks, but at your daughter's age, I'd wait a while longer.

It's a good topic to talk about as parents. There's a good analogy in the Baby Wise books about "parenting within the funnel" that describes how you can provide opportunities for freedom within a sensible range. This will apply till your daughter is out of the house. Now your daughter can carry some safe things, like soft items or even a spoon. Later a fork is fine, or a glass of water. But it is all in a fairly safe range.

I will try to fiind an e-mail I received some time ago with a child who was walking around with a fork and tripped, fell on it and it went entirely through his nose. Perhaps that will convince her not to allow experiencing life at all costs. It required surgery to remove it and fix his nose.

Not a good idea! I wish I still had the picture of a little one with a fork that went right up the nose. Was a sad picture to look at. There are permanent scars from the fork going right through the nose. This happened to a child of 4 years. Any decission is up to the parents but as for me I would not be doing so. Good luck! MD

Don't let the baby walk around with a fork it is just plain dangerous.
Google picture of boy with fork in nose. The SNoops site has the picture. Maybe it will change his mind.
D.

Absolutely not unless it is a children's fork that is totally child friendly. I saw an awful picture of a little boy with four holes in his nose because of falling with a fork in his hand. If you want to see the picture let me know.

For me this one is common sense... Sharp objects don't go in babies hands... There is a time to teach all things, but you wouldn't give you child a knife to walk around with- Same thing as a fork for am eleven month old. One year olds are not capable of common sense yet. Give her a spoon. But even then give her children safe silverware.

I agree with dad. If the situation is dangerous then it is your job as parent to step in. An 11 month old doesn't know that she could get hurt. Would you let her play in the street? Of course not. A fork, pencile, etc can cause serious injury if fell on. Stand firm dad!

This is funny, you request sounds like my husband and myself, what we did was compromise, give her a spoon. I am more laid back in my parenting, we have 7 and the more there is the less I stress, my comment to my husband has always been "I haven't maimed(sp) one yet" not really funny, but I do try to compromise. Here is the newest one in my house, my 18 month old has been climbing onto the kitchen chairs since he could walk, pulls them out himself, husband didn't like it he could fall off and he has a few times, know we find him on the table, takes him 2 seconds, husband has the same concerns, I figured he falls of he'll learn to quit climbing on the table, here is the kicker he has fallen off 3 times and just gets right back up. My husband is relaxing a little more but he will still get him off the table, so he has to deal with the temper tantrum that is going to happen. Children need to "expierience life", that is true but if it makes you uncomfortable then work togather to find a middle ground.

Just go to this link and let your wife have a look at the pictures. We are here to teach our children, not just let them run wild (with forks) and hope they grow up to be forward thinking adults. You are totally right on this one!
http://www.snopes.com/photos/medical/forknose.asp

There was an email circulating around recently, I wish I still had it, I'd forward it to you, it's a picture of a toddler who was running around with a fork and fell face first on it! They showed the pic of the fork sticking through his nose and then the after pic with the prong holes healing on his face, it was horrible! Tell her to grow up!

NO!! NO!! NO!! Most adults ought not to walk around carrying forks! As for the need to experience life, HA does the baby need to walk around blind in one eye to experience life? Or how about dead because the baby tripped while it was in her mouth? There is plenty of time for baby to experience life without giving them a sharp object to bring it on. For your duaghters safety make sure she sits while she eats with or without utensils.

Out of only seventeen responses, you have one below from a mom whose kid is blinded from this. That should be enough to make her wake up! This attitude of an 11 month old being able to make any safety decision on her own will get your child maimed or killed, whether it is the fork or some other thing. It won't be "experiencing life", it will be experiencing death.

No, no, no! She should not be walking around with a sharp object! Especially since you know she is still falling. Does your wife not understand that a fork could impale the child's face and take out an eye?! Even if the child is a good walker accidents happen - she could trip on something. Oh, please convince her to take the fork away.

IMO no. Forks are for the table only. Hope this helps. Good luck.

what hapens when the child stabs them self??? It happens a lot or carrying around a glass of juice or something like that.

Dad, Not all women will say this to you, but I hope most of the women will this once. YOU ARE RIGHT!!!! Here are the reasons I have, If the child fell that fork on either end could poke out an eye of their own or someone else, then their experience in life will possibly be cut short or add bitterness & hatred to the situation. They can experience that later on in life. Also if something were to happen to that child school kids are cruel and they would say hurtful things. Last, but not least - It is not smart ever to run with objects in your hand. A straw can harm someone. Atta Boy DAD!

Babies shouldn't walk with anything dangerous, including spoons pencils, pens, keys (which have lead as well as being poky) drumsticks, crayons... My youngest is 3 and has excellent motor control for a 3 year old, and is still clumsy.

Babies should be walking with anything eating related. Eating is a sit-down-in-one-spot activity. This is my opinion, and it has served us well as the kids get older. No one walks while they drink, they sit with their sucker or granola bar, and they leave their dishes on the table (until they're old enough to take them to the counter)

I think it all depends on how stable your child walks. If she is wobbly then no. But if she is smooth and hardly falls then I think it is up to you. I would replace the fork with something else in her hand if it is my own child. I will let them carry forks or butter knives to the table or sink for me but not just walking around.

No, not silly...here is one excellent example. Sorry it is so graphic, but it is a reality of what can happen. If she does it now, she is going to keep doing it as a habit. Hope this helps your cause!
http://www.snopes.com/photos/medical/forknose.asp

Mom of Four Fantastic Boys

A small plastic, toy fork, meant as a toy, sure. A real metal one for grown up table eating--NO WAY!! You go Dad!

I'm with you, Dad. It's a tough balance. You don't want to be helicopter parents. But you also want to be preventative. Using your wife's argument --- so, would it be ok to let your child walk around with a sharp knife? Would it be ok to let your child walk in traffic? Would it be ok to let your child walk down stairs? It's a parent's job to protect their children from things that are known to be dangerous --- for example --- hot stove, boiling water, drowning, etc. And there's a reason why there's a cliche about running with sharp objects. We know that it is likely that one will get hurt. We do want our children to experience life, but not at all costs.

Dear R.,

Read your question on MammaSource. Let your 11 month old daughter walk around with a fork? "Experience life"---in the Emergency Room! PLEASE do not let let do this! I already have nightmares of her poking her eye out!! ____@____.com

R.,

Let’s put it this way I don't let my 14 month old walk around with a fork, knife, or anything sharp. To have your kids experience life would be for them to see and understand and have fun. If you child falls with a fork she will probably have to head to the hospital and I don't think that is what your wife was thinking about with the statement "to experience life". Not to mention you will probably have a visit from Social Services on how to better care for your child. To sum up no child should walk around with a fork or any sharp object. The hospital is not a fun place. Best of luck to you! S.

Hi Dad. Not a silly question. I am a pretty liberal mama in terms of what I will/won't let my daughter "experience". But I think you have to have a conversation with your wife that clarifies how extreme you will go - would you let your child run with scissors? What about help put away the steak knives from the dishwasher? Would you let him crawl around on broken glass? I bet not. So walking about with a fork may not be a good choice either... do I have to go into the reality of why? Try to reason with your wife, if you can, and to get her to see things from a different point of view. BEST of luck!

Good Dad! I have four kids: Two six-year-olds, a 13-year-old and a 17-year-old. My answer is NO, don't let her walk around with a fork in her hand, unless you want a trip to the ER! (I've made a few in my time).

It is not a silly question. My kids are 3 and 6 and I don't let them walk or run around holding a fork. They could trip and poke their eye out. I am all for natural consequences for certain things, but not something like this. Hope that helps. Keep your little one safe, there are so many bad things in life we can't control, this is not one of them.

R. You ARE right!
Even if you read Benjamin Spock's book and agree with his idea of letting kids to have all their experiences, even Spock does not say that obvious danger needs to be supported. If there is a hot iron nearby and your daughter accidentally touches it, it may be not so bad, as the wound willnot be real dangerous and will heal, maybe your daughter will get it pretty soon that iron is 'awouie". I do not even want to imagine all what might happen with the fork-carrier who just learned to walk. Just one reminder to mommy< amongst many other options: your little daughter has but TWO EYES, to work for her lifetime, and they are not like lizard's tails, they never grow back.
Please, by letting your daughter to make her mistakes (which makes sense) do NOT forget to prevent her from really bad dangers!!!!!! R., you are right, stand your ground on it!

I agree with you. She may be walking, but the reality is that she is going to continue to fall and bump into things. I understand that your wife recognizes that "life happens" and that she'll get bumps and bruises and has to learn from that and that you can't protect her from absolutely everything, however, that doesn't mean that you allow shouldn't protect her from potentially dangerous situations when you can easily prevent them. If your daughter falls and stabs herself in the eye or cuts her face and has a scar for the rest of her life....which DOES happen...you'll never forgive yourself. Even if your daughter wants to walk with the fork...too bad, you're the parent and you DO know better!:)

does she need a trip to the er to make her understand that is dangerous i get letting them experience things but we are spost to teach them right from wrong not learn on your own if you know they get hurt you are spose to take things away does she let her run with scissors too? not to sound too rude but i have had too many trips to the er to give them a bottle of poision and say drink up.

Kim

I think, as parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children the right way to do things. Then they will have a foundation for making choices as they grow up. I dont think a baby, toddler of any age, should have to "learn" the hard way. Something as innocent as a tooth brush can cause serious medical issues, when it has be removed from the back of a childs neck in the ER. Somethings are just not worth the risk.

Hey R. I know you have received a lot of advice; just thought I would add my 2 cents. Potentially losing an eye is not just a "life experience", it is the loss of her sight. You are absolutely right here!

I wouldn't let my 10 year old walk around with a fork in his hand...it's both unsafe and bad manners. If you're going to teach them something, might as well teach them the correct thing from the beginning. People don't go walking around with a fork...they have their meals while sitting nicely at a table (at least I hope most people do). And if you're not eating, there's no reason to be holding a fork. Give your daughter something safer to hold while walking.

I am very impressed you are standing up for your daughters safety. NO CHILD should be walking/running or otherwise with a fork in their hand! Good for you! Life isn't about putting your life or health at risk. Teaching her to USE the fork is life, her impaleing herself under her chin or on her face is just neglect! Good for you!

It's all fun and games untill an eye gets poked out!! Seriously, I think she is still too new to walking to be carrying (she might start running) sharp objects in her little hands.

Uh, no. She does need to experience life, but not with a fork in her eye or down her throat.

Spoon - yes; Plastic Baby fork - maybe; any other sharp or dull pointed objects - absolutely not! Unless you want to risk going to ER's and/or injuring your baby.

Why does she have a fork? Is she eating & wandering around? This will lead to future problems when wanted to sit down for meals.

That's very similar to saying its ok to let your kids run around with a sharp paire of scissers. It doesn't matter is the little one is walking well. Kids that age (walking well or not) still fall and don't understand that a fork can hurt them. Ask your wife how she would feel if your baby fell and the fork hurt her. Tell you just want to be careful and that not carrying a fork around will not hold the baby back from experiancing life. If my hubby had said something that dense and careless to me he would have been in soooo much trouble! He isn't always thinking about what could hurt the baby and waht couldn't so I remind him a lot. Yesterday he was playing with a stick with our 9 1/2 month old (the stick had a sharpened end) and I looked at him and said waht the heck are you doing, he can't play with that. Hubby said oh sorry, looked sheepish and put it behind his back on the floor. Then when he got up a few minutes later he left it there and baby grabbed it and tried to chew on it. I took it away and told my hubby. You can't leave things down anywhere he can get at them because he will get at them and at some point hurt humself. Maybe badly. Perhaps if you sit down and explain to your wife that you just want your baby to be safe and experiance things in a safer way for this age maybe she will listen. Good luck.

Remember the old saying you heard from your mother? Do NOT run with scissors! Any pointy object is dangerous for a little person to be walking or running with it in her hands. Now a soft teddy bear or cloth baby wouldn't hurt anything if she fell on it, but a fork? or a stick? or scissors? Trade her the fork for a soft object.

Hey R.,
It probably isn't a good idea to let her walk around with a fork. When my son still had his bottle, he tripped with it and it cut in the crease right under his lip, he still has a scar from it 7 years later. She might poke her eye out or something. Hope this helps!!!
T.

In my opinion, it is ok as long as she is taking it to the table for eating, or, to the sink after eating. It is a tool, not a toy. The same goes for other utensils as well. thank you for looking out for your child and mom, trust that your husband is looking out for both you and your child when it comes to being safe!

I know a five year old (who obviously had been walking for years) who was running around with a knife and ended up giving himself a partial tonsilectomy. A fork could go up a nose, down a throat, or in an eye. There are plenty of other ways to experience life than in an ER with facial surgery!

Just One thought, (from a Mom with 5 of her own biological children, and the experience of having sheltered over 76 children ages newborn to 3.) Would you let your child (of any age) walk around with a Hot curling iron? I've seen a child with a fork sticking out of his nose. Not fatal, but imagine up and a few inches to the left or right.

Hello...I am a mother of a 7 year old girl and soon to be 3 year old boy. I have to agree with you on not letting your 11 month old walk around with a fork. If you do that is just asking for something to happen. I don't even let my 3 year old do that and anyway silverware if for use at the table not to walk around with. I know children love to play with kitchen utensils but give her a spoon and bowl not a fork! Good luck.

The picture of the toddler is on snopes.com and the kid was eating at a restaurant, climbing into the booth, and slipped. He was not "running" around....and maybe I don't belong here because I say that kids can walk with a fork...If you are really worried split the difference and give the kid a plastic spork... How overprotective have we become?????

Heck no! Sorry mom, but Dad is right this time. It is way too easy for a little one to fall down. Toddlers are famous for leaving things lying around so if she trips over something and the fork stabs her in the eye or throat what then? Better safe than sorry I say!

Good luck!

Not a silly questions. I don't let my 5-year old walk around with a fork, so I totally agree with you that your barely walking daughter should definitely NOT be walking around with a fork or anything similar that she could accidentally fall on.

I don't let my 22 month old, who has been walking for a year, walk around with a fork. To me, it's the equivalent of running with scissors.
But good luck on getting your wife to see it that way. I would tell her that you're just not comfortable with her walking with such a sharp object, and could she please respect your opinion on this one? Tell her you agree that she needs to experience life, but your heart would just break to pieces if she were to get hurt unnecessarily.

Fellow dad here...ummmm What KIND of fork? If it's one of those Nuby or Safety 1st training forks with barely usable tines that looks more like a spoon and is almost as big as her sippy cup...I MAYBE would allow her to carry it from the table to the sink. But a regular big people fork? Are you kidding me?

Interesting that I just read your question. I have an 11 1/2 month old son. I told my husband the same thing..."I don't have the time to watch every single thing he runs around with..." My son is blind in his left eye for two weeks now, because he tripped over his own feet and the fork went directly into his eye. Please convince your wife that, although it's so easy to have the mentality that it won't happen to my child, it so easily can.

I wish I had the email still of the little boy with a fork sticking thru his nose from holding and walking/running with a fork. Tell your wife to please grow up and not let your daughter walk with a fork. The sad outcome could damage your daughter and your checkbook if having to go to the emergency room.

My 2 year old son tripped while holding a plastic tubular stick. The stick was in his mounth and it proceeded to puncture the roof of his mouth. Blood was gushing everywhere. Although he was ok, I would never have wanted him or me to experience the trauma. I was told that if that harmless little stick had gone 1" lower it could have pierced his jugular vein and he could have bled to death. Children rely on us to protect them.

Let your child "experience life" buy walking around different things. Let her go barefoot, or find out what it is like walking in sand.
Letting her walk with a fork is a very unnecessary risk. Experiencing life means letting your child take risks that will not seriously harm them.

I say no way! What comes next...a knife? ;o) How about letting her hold a spoon instead? it all comes down to: "it's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye" ... why promote living life eye-less?

Dad, you are right. Why take the chance of a fall. If Mom doesn't think it's a problem, go on line and look at the injury statistics for little ones and sharp objects. Face it, if you can stick a fork in a steak, it will pierce though the skin, (and maybe more) of a child. Eyes are very delicate and can be severly injured. I am the mother of two grown daughters, and the grandmother of 5. Sharp objects are not toys!!!!!!!!!

Please tell me you are kidding :) My input is absolutely NOT! How dangerous that could be... I just shudder thinking of what COULD happen. If I were you, I'd definitely over rule your wife. It's just NOT safe! Good luck!

I don't even let my 4 year old walk around with the fork. anything can happen!!! besides why not teach them now that forks belong at the table and the table only. Then that problem won't arise in the future. Good luck with this one!!!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1366/1040976473_51768d2282...

dad is right on this one. it's your job to protect her from things that she doesn't have enough skill to judge the safety of. my son was obsessed with spoons-- a little safer, but still not something i wanted him playing with all over the house. we bought him a package of toddler plastic forks and spoons, which were pretty inexpensive. the forks have round edges, so they're just as safe as any of his toys, and it's a sturdy plastic that doesn't break easily. we named them his and set up a rule that at eating time he could use his utensils or the "mommy and daddy fork/spoon", but if he chose to use the mommy/daddy one, it went into the sink after eating. his own utensils he could do whatever he wanted with. this made him very happy and i could once again find spoons when i needed them rather than searching all over the house in his favorite hiding places.

I would say not to allow your 11 month old to do that. I have four kids and with all of them I don't think they were allowed to do that until two or three years of age. If your daughter were to fall she could seriously injure herself. She should experience life but not so much of it at one time. Also, having only been walking for 4 weeks I am sure she is still somewhat clumsy with it.