Do you think this is dangerous?

Children using scissors is not dangerous when they are used correctly and supervised by an adult GrannyGrey so I think maybe your daughter is overreacting a little. She really should be happy that you are interacting with them and entertaining them with craft instead of plonking them in front of the TV like plenty others might do . My DGC love cutting and sticking and have done so since being very small . They have created some wonderful scrapbooks . We have always used small proper scissors, safely supervised . I can’t see a problem .

I think it is important that small children are allowed to use scissors and other tools whilst being supervised. That is how they learn how to use them safely. I've known ten year olds who aren't allowed knives to eat their dinner with!

However, mum's word is law I'm afraid. Maybe she would feel happier if you included her in one of your sessions so she can see how the children are capable of using them.

My MiL gave my small an adult darts board one Christmas without consulting us, and I'm afraid I had the same reaction - as a mother of small children you are used to foreseeing the worst case scenario and trying to head it off. I don't understand your objection to children's scissors, but if that's the mother's wish you should abide by it. It only takes a second to have an accident with sharp scissors, and then how would you feel?

I've done exactly the same with my young DG and she loved it. Using scissors is a skill that needs to be learnt and as long as they are supervised 100% I can't see any problem. It wouldn't have worried me when my DD was young either.

Its the other way round with us I am the overcautious Nanna and my daughters encouraged their offspring to do all sorts of things that I wouldnt. I think it is right to let them explore but with good supervision. Do you think we should be doing risk assessments?

Children's scissors aren't all plastic. They just have rounded ends. I just googled children's scissors and Hobbycraft sell ones which have a plastic handle and metal blades with rounded tops for children for £1. Surely it would be worth investing in a pair as a compromise but show them to the mother first.

There is a middle road here. There are children’s scissors that are not plastic, good enough for cutting paper and have rounded points. Keep mum happy. It is not worth having her worry and it only takes a second for an accident happen when you are distracted - doorbell, phone etc

I actually bought a child's pr of scissors that were as sharp as normal scissors. It advised caution when using on the pkt. Think they were from Wilko.

You used to be able to buy metal rounded children's scissors and I've just found lots on Amazon so you could order these or look in your local craft shop

I've got some rounded end scissors that have been in use for years so a very worthwhile investment and worry-free.

Rounded end scissors are fine, but not pointed ones. You could be on the phone or in the loo and they might get into an argument over a picture they both want and start pushing and shoving each other to keep hold of it, with the scissors in their hand, anything can happen.

I wouldn't give young children adult scissors , most of them have very sharp points. You are supervising them but what if the doorbell goes or the phone rings ? You need to have eyes in the back of your head with young ones.
As someone else has said there scissors specially for young children and they cut paper well, if the children want something thicker cut then you are there to do it for them. It's important for children to take part in arts and crafts and it does entertain them for ages. Tell your DIL you are going to buy safety scissors for them and everyone should be happy.

I used to play on a sodden mattress on a building site behind my house. I used to climb ladders in the market garden and jump into their cellar but Gee Whizz. SCISSORS! ?

I think it is interesting that we worry about different safety issues. One of my grandchildren when they were a toddler, loved to cut out, and I had no worries about it (his mother also let him cut out, he did use children's scissors with rounded ends) my husband, however, couldn't bear it, and had to leave the room.
On the other hand, he has no problem with children in play parks with swings etc. I absolutely hate it, and worry constantly when we are there.

DGS uses adult scissors, if the phone rings etc, you just quietly take them off them for the few minutes it takes to anwser.
He also uses the secateurs under close supervision in the garden, he has been using adult cutlery since he was able to handle it properly.
He is 6 and we have just explained the dangers to him as we went along.
Since he started school here at 3 he has been using real cutlery for his school lunch.
I think you have to assess the child and if you think they are capable and you have the time to 100% supervise them then fine.

Our DGD is 4 and has been taught how to use scissors in nursery recently. She wanted to cut out here the other week, and we had to give her "normal" scissors. She used them perfectly ... again always with us nearby.
I certainly wouldn't let her use scissors unsupervised, but it's all part of their learning development.
On to using a knife at meal-times now!

Adult scissors should not be used by children but I wonder if at the age of 3 1/2 and 5 the children's mother has taken them to a nursery or reception class recently where free use of children's scissors would be available all the time?
It's the same with cooking and woodworking tools - the more dangerous equipment is that which is not sharp and doesn't do the job - as we've all found out as adults!

As long as they are supervised I see no problem. There are child experts who say we are raising a generation of children who are unable to evaluate risks as they are never put in a position to 'risk assess' for themselves.
My DD gave GDs use of adult scissors when they were young. They are sensible and supervised, but how are children going to learn to be careful if we stop them doing anything risky.

I'm still nervous when I see my GC using scissors liberally. It is obvious they have been taught correctly but accidents do happen. I just zip my fuddy duddy lip as usual but they don't have them on my watch.

I got a pair of Fiskars children's scissors from a craft shop for my GC. Perfectly safe and they cut well.

I think it is easier to just go with whatever the parent prescribes.
One of my children is super cautious about what their children do when they are with us so we just follow the parents' rules.
The other one trusts us to keep their children safe and use our own judgement. We are equally careful with both sets of children.
Horses for courses I suppose.

Standing over my gs i have allowed him to place baking tays in ovn and slice soft things with a medium sharp knife too. Like op he is not allowed to run around and has to think of what he is doing. Too many older children are unable to do the basics.

It's an unusual place where a grandparent sitting with a 3 year old using scissors, can't manage that if a phone rings, or someone comes to the door.

My just 3 year old grandson was helping in the garden earlier this week. One of the things he enjoyed was using my gardening scissors. We were together, I helped him hold them properly. He understood they're grown up scissors and he's only allowed to use them with my help and only if I give them to him.
It's part of learning, part of a loving relationship.

Children will have access to age appropriate scissors at nursery (from a very early age) and at school so your daughter needs to accept that fact and you need to buy some.
Children should be taught to handle then carefully by only using them while sitting down and carrying them by holding the blades together. I'm sure you are doing that already. Parents are neglecting their duty by not teaching their children how to handle tools correctly. Can you ask a profession in the educational world to talk to your daughter and back you up.