Locked room for breakables when grandkids stay?

Not that.

If the 3 year old breaks something of sentimental value I would need it and it would be part of our family history.

Like the time 7 year old (play) wrestled his pa to the floor and hurt his wrist. It's families.

I suppose it depends how big your house is, and if closing off one room is going to make the rest of the house crowded.
We have a large collection of glass and, touch wood, we haven't had any breakages as the grandchildren were taught not to touch. We don't allow indoor ball games either.

Looking to the future, you might need to rethink the location of your collection or you'll be a nervous wreck whenever the family visits!

I must be lucky because none of our lot have broken anything much except the odd glass tumbler by mistake. My kids didn’t ,either. Don’t need to tell them.

Either move things up above the child's level or pack the precious breakable away when they stay.
Unless you live in a mansion of course in which case lock the room.

Mine have broken more since they were adults! Mostly glasses.

We have little ones who are constantly barging around energetically, any precious breakables are put their level but some are within reach and if I or their parents see them go for it we let them hold it for a second and explain how careful we have to be with nana’s things, then we distract them and put the thing back. Have so far lost the beak off a pot robin and a pot cat lost her head, but tbh I break more stuff than they do, am a terrible klutz.

*any precious breakables are put above their level

I am going against the grain here it seems, I would lock the door. Or at the very least, set boundaries that the room is off limits. I just don't want to invite more trouble than I want right now, IMO. No sense in it.

I would feel the opposite of it were just a quick visit or even one overnight stay.

Talk to your son & DIL and see what they think is the best way to handle things. Your grandchildren need to be taught not to touch without asking first.

imaround

I am going against the grain here it seems, I would lock the door. Or at the very least, set boundaries that the room is off limits. I just don't want to invite more trouble than I want right now, IMO. No sense in it.

I would feel the opposite of it were just a quick visit or even one overnight stay.

I'm with you. I think you have to set out boundaries from the start, but given that the children are so young, locking the door seems the most obvious and easiest solution to me.

Good grief, how much breakable stuff "in reach" do you have?
I agree with JenniRen. Simply put it all out of reach - unless you live somewhere palatial, which is so large that a locked room isn't even noticed!!

I agree.

Not that much different to making sure all household cleaning products and medicines are all out of reach.

to ViceVersa post

We have signs up saying that 'Ma and Pa's house, Ma and Pa's Rules'

We have very few - that's their parent's job. Xx

ViceVersa

imaround

I am going against the grain here it seems, I would lock the door. Or at the very least, set boundaries that the room is off limits. I just don't want to invite more trouble than I want right now, IMO. No sense in it.

I would feel the opposite of it were just a quick visit or even one overnight stay.

I'm with you. I think you have to set out boundaries from the start, but given that the children are so young, locking the door seems the most obvious and easiest solution to me.

Yes, I would do the same.

Oh goodness no - locking the dgc out? How will they ever learn to be careful? I’ve nothing I value more in my house than the grandchildren. As others have said, anything really precious put away. I’m in the midst of downsizing and have realised that much of my sentimental value stuff really means nothing compared to the life I’m gojng to have as a result.

Thanks for all your thoughts. To be fair, they often visit and it hasn't been a problem, but those visits are just for the day. Also, the three year old is going through a testing boundaries phase. And no, not a mansion ;-), just a 3 bed house. So packing things away might be a good solution/compromise. And yes, already have child locks on the medicine cupboard.

Why can’t you simply place things above the reach of the three year old? Surely a ‘look but don’t touch’ lesson is the way forward.

Yeah, just unlock the door and let the children out when its time to go home 🤭