[jalapeno]

My DD figured out today how to open the safety gate. It wasn't just an accident - she did it several times on purpose. The first time she looked back at me and said "I did it Mama! I did it!". So proud of herself. She can also dis-assemble that plastic thingy that we have over our front door knob that's supposed to make it impossible for her to turn the doorknob and thereby open the front door at will. I keep the front door locked anyway and so far that's working. But the safety gate thing? Really? At 2 1/2 years old? Was I just naive to think I might have another year with those?

Of course it's not really DD I'm worried about. But if she opens a gate then her 18 and 14 month old brothers are free to roam about as well. Yeesh. Seems like every time I start to think I've got a handle on things, one of the kids develops some skill that requires a whole new level of parenting. How many levels are there exactly? Does anybody happen to know?

Ok, just wanted to spout off a little!!

[lovemy2boys]

Oh boy...I remember when AJ figured out how to unlock the front door (age 2). He was sitting on the couch and I went in JD's room (a mere 5 feet from where AJ was sitting) to change JD's diaper. I walked in the living room. No AJ, door wide open. I ran on the front porch and my neighbor was on hers saying "He's right here watching cartoons with the kids."

Thank God for good neighbors.

Let the games begin...

[Betelnut]

I hate those plastic door handle things! I bought mine at Babies R Us and I thought they would have the "best" quality stuff. They are so cheap and easily ripped off the knob!

Yes, my 2 1/2 year old can take them off easily.... sigh.

[AKMama]

My younger daughter actually figured out the gates before the older one. My younger one was about 2 1/2 when she realized she could get the gates on the stairs open (like you, thought we had over a year before she would figure it out) and my then 3 1/2 year old did not master the gates for quite awhile after the younger one. She'd ask her little sister to open the gate for her. This new ability only came in handy when I had my hands full and needed help opening the gates. She was all to eager to come help Mama!