we don't have any gates or barriers. however we do live in a small, single level home so there isn't a concern regarding stairs (which i would def have a gate/barrier for). we also only have one child at the moment - i think once #2 arrives & gets close to being mobile that we will be looking into gates. DS is only just getting to the point where he can reach the door handles so we have been able shut doors as a safety precaution as well.
and i think it's like most things - only you know what works best for your family & gives you the most peace of mind.
Im not personally a fan BUT in our situation we have a single story house. I know it would be different if we had 2 stories though! We do close the bathroom door and as yet DD isnt tall enough to open it but the toilet is always open as is the kitchen. We were pretty persistant in teaching her not to the oven, the cupboard under the sink is locked but otherwise its free range. But like Sloane, we just have the 1 child too
We have a gate to the kitchen, and then a gate to our study, which is DH's and my area, so no kids allowed lol. Our kitchen is a small U shape, and they just get under feet, which IMO, is unsafe especially when cooking. Maybe if the kitchen floorspace was bigger, it wouldn't be an issue. We just have 2 kids chairs at the end of the kitchen bench that DS and DD can stand on when we are cooking.
As with most things related to parenting, its a personal choice. I know that I am more safety conscious than a friend, but then its a personality thing with me to worry about the small things.
Ours started out as doggie gates, but will be practical when bubs gets here too.
We have one from our kitchen to lounge (originally to keep dogs off carpet when we werent home, now to keep kids away from hubbys games machines unsupervised), from lounge to hall way (stop dogs/kids accessing lounge from the other side) and for now we have one on bubs rooms to keep the dogs out but that will be moved later to separate hall way from back part of house (steep step).
People always comment on our gates. Works for us lol.
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