Do you think this is dangerous?

We bought our GC a mini tool kit complete with hammer, pliers, a saw etc. No one sawed their hands off though they did bash their fingers a few time with the hammer.

We also have several trees with poisonous berries or seeds in the garden. They know not to eat these. Same principle- teach them how to do things safely and how to recognise risk.

and,........ while the grandmothers are about it..... Please instruct the grandchildren in the correct way of holding scissors to pass them to someone else

I never bought rounded end scissors because I preferred to teach my children that some things if used improperly can hurt them etc.

I grew up without passing being put on the corners of furniture, plug sockets didn't have plastic covers etc and learnt to use scissors responsibly.

I was never hurt or injured nor did I hurt or injure anyone else.

I raised my children the same way so that they used things in a responsible manner from a young age.

I despair sometimes at how children are turning out to be as they are denied freedom and to be able to behave responsibility.

I have read numerous times on Mumsnet where mothers ask if it's ok to leave their 15 year old home alone for a short time! Fifteen! For goodness sake, it's beyond ridiculous.

However, as they are not your children you should abide by the mother's wishes even if you think it's silly as I do.

Padding not passing

If supervised and have a rounded edge, I can’t see a problem, however, if they are pointed, be warned - I had a pointed pair of scissors on the floor, when sitting on the floor, I moved slightly onto them with jeans on and hardly felt a prick and the next minute I was spurting blood from an artery.

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Children’s scissors don’t cut very well! I have always bought proper scissors with short rounded blades for my mob, and I feel they are perfectly safe with supervision. Naturally we teach them the proper way to handle the tool, and don’t leave them lying around.
Let’s face it, the worse thing that can happen is a nipped finger - not a tragedy, and children need to learn that the world is hazardous and that care must be taken. So far none of my DGC have cut or poked themselves, and DD and DiL are in agreement. They won’t prosecute me for being a bad Gran if a cut finger should ensue!
It’s our job to protect youngsters against serious injury, but the small hurts of childhood are probably necessary to teach caution.

Since my GC were tiny, DD has taught them how to use scissors and knives properly and carefully. The youngest is 5 now and is adept at handling both. I was rather cautious when they asked to use them here at our house, but was surprised at how well they used them. I think your DD is being overly cautious, children have to learn how to use these utensils, so with proper supervision, I don't see a problem.

The problem with wrapping kids in cotton wool is that they don't learn what is, and isn't, dangerous behaviour!

Frankly, as far as the three year old goes, I think your daughter is right. No three year old has the manual dexterity to use sharp scissors and even the five year old would be better off using round-ended paper scissors of the kind used in primary schools.

quizqueens advice is sound, but the matter is definitely not worth falling out with your daughter about. You could do the cutting out before the children come for the next visit thus avoiding further discussion right now.

If the five year old comments on this, you can say "Well, Mummy didn't really like you using scissors, and when I thought about it, I realised she was right."

As a primary school teacher I quickly found out that some classes of five or six year olds could be given scissors quite safely while others definitely could not.

Today 12:02 lesley4357

The problem with wrapping kids in cotton wool is that they don't learn what is, and isn't, dangerous behaviour!

......

Exactly!

Children's round ended scissors are easily accessible and cut well. Getting the children to use them is a win-win for parents and grandparents, so why not?

I remember being given blunt scissors for cutting out as a child. Very
Very frustrating and killed any desire to be creative. My children always had decent scissors.

I pointed out recently to a friend something that could hurt her crawling baby. 'That's ok' she said, 'he won't do it again'. I could sort of see her point.

They’re her children so I’d try asking the mother if she’d be OK if you bought some children’s scissors for them to use. (Then try them in the shop to see if they really do cut. 2 sets of scissors from the same educational supplier were totally different in their usefulness.) One of the things we look at when children start school is whether they can fasten buttons or use crayons or scissors; it’s a guide to how good their fine motor skills are and where we need to start.
My rule at home was that tools had to be fit for purpose. Having to struggle to get scissors to cut is more dangerous than having some appropriately sharp ones.
Good luck. It would be a shame if they were engrossed in electronics instead of craft work.

I agree that children can use adult scissors, they are at their grandmas not at school. It is usual to use whatever you have to hand in your own home.
Ask your daughter to provide some scissors that she feels fit the bill.
No point you buying them and showing them to her . Doing that is too submissive.
Why would you go on an endless scissor hunt in the hope of being approved of.

Yes use rounded end scissors they are just as good just as sharp but not the danger
I had one granddaughter who was cutting mad every bit of paper was cut into minute pieces we always knew where she’d been sitting ?and all dolls hair went, also her own fringe went considerable shorter sat one point
Go for the round end ones for safety s sake it’s a great compromise

I find it interesting when some daughters and DIL's express 'outrage' etc. at the actions of their parents when they place their children in their care.
They seem to forget that they have survived the same care to adulthood without death or serious injury to themselves.
Parents and grandparents used to be cherished for their hard won wisdom but nowadays it seems that if it isn't in a book or been recommended by some TV celebrity then it's obviously dangerous or old fashioned. I think this is why we have an increase in obesity and children going to school still in nappies and half the younger population cannot use a sharp knife.

Belgravian on the whole I agree with your point of view but it only takes a minutes slip to lose an eye for the sake of the ends being different They are proper sharp scissors I have some in my drawer for me to use just not got points but it offers no difference in useage

GrannyGrey You were supervising them and keeping them safe. They were having a lovely time. Plastic scissors are like the proverbial chocolate fire guard.

Your daughter must have been in a bad mood or was trying to assert her authority. I've got a daughter like that! I can't do anything right as far as she's concerned. Try and let it wash over you. Of course you looked after the children properly! You said, you watched over them. It is good for children to learn how to handle tools such as proper scissors.
Take care of yourself! Sometimes I need emotional-armour when my daughter is around! Lots of love. L

I agree about all plastic scissors but good children's scissors have metal blades within the plastic, they cut just as well, but just don't have a sharp point.

Children's scissors are available from Amazon, they are not plastic and cut well. They are steel scissors with rounded ends of the type I had in my classroom when I was teaching infant/nursery children. You can get scissors for left handed children too.
Children need to learn to use tools, scissors included.

I often think back to my time in early years, when we had a woodwork table for 3-5 year olds. They started off with wood and sandpaper, and soon graduated to using hammers, nails, saws, and pliers.
They were always supervised, and we never had any issues.
Mind you, we did use the round ended scissors.

I agree with Belgravian children have to learn how to use every day implements correctly. Supervision and demonstration are key.
Perhaps some compromise is needed with your daughter
GrannyGrey.

My grandson, when aged 3, was given a wood whittling session with a knife at his (rural) nursery. He absolutely loved it and his parents weren’t remotely concerned.