Teach your child the ways in which they should go. (Playpens in General)

Member Name: Claribella

Product:	Playpens in General
Date:	14/12/08 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Useful when the parents are cooking,cleaning etc

Disadvantages: Like a caged animal

I had a play pen given to me when my son was tiny. At the time he wasn't even crawling but I was dead sure I would use it. I thought it would be a really useful thing to have and would have probably gone out and bought one at a later date. The one that we were given was very old and it even says it was made in the 1970's. It's all wooden and folds flat for easy storage.

As my son started crawling and moving around I was waiting for an opportunity o get it set up but it just didnt happen. My son is nearlytwo now and the play pen is still sat folded up next to the play pen. I never intended not to use it but to be honest the opportunity neve arose. Just like I have never used child locks the doors or covers on the electricity sockets.

My son is very placid and from a young age we have taught him what he can and can't touch around the home. If he went into my cupboard then we would tell him no and he soon gt to grips with that. If I go to the toilet then I ask him if he wants to come with me or if he wants to stay and play with some toys.

I always thought play pens were an essential piece of kit but now I am not so sure. Even when I am cooking my son knows to stay clear of the cooker so I don't need to put him in a play pen at that time.

I think play pens are useful for some families and it's all down to personal choice. My cousins little boy is very highly strung and she needed one from time to time so she could nip upstairs and take 5 miutes for herself. It did get to a stage where it became dangerous for him because he was climbing out.

I have to say that if I did need to use the play pen for my second son then I wouldn't have a clue where I could put it. We have recently moved house and our downstairs is no longer open plan so it would take up alot of room. They just tend to be big and bulky and they do cost a lot of money too.

I don't think it looks very nice either when a child is in one. It just looks like a scene from our local zoo especially when they are grabbing hold of the side and crying to get out.

I don't think you definately need one of these and if you can teach your child what they should and shouldn't touch then you could probably do without one.

Summary: Teach your child right from wrong and they won't need one.