New furniture has allowed me to start putting my belongings away in a permanent position. I have prepared areas intended for Xander’s use when he is coming home with me again. I have a list of stocks to acquire and maintain. This includes….

Hygiene products

First Aid

Xander sized furniture

Clothes

Food

Toys

Is there anything I have left out essential to maintaining a healthy environment for Xander?

I also intend to do a hazard assesment of the unit and identify courses of action for any apparent hazards. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

I’m not sure how old Xander is, but I’ve got a gate that we used to prevent Jacobie from getting out of the front door.

Postpocelipse said:

This includes….

Books.

Do a visual inspection and remove any dangerous or potentially dangerous items from floor level to a height where he can’t reach them. Things like power-saws and laser cutters etc.

JTQ said:

I’m not sure how old Xander is, but I’ve got a gate that we used to prevent Jacobie from getting out of the front door.

I have a system on the front patio that should prevent the need for this but I will assess that as it goes. The back screen door I leave locked because the house does not ventilate very efficiently and shutting the door itself makes things uncomfortable. Might have a gate available if I need it. Cheers :)

party_pants said:

Do a visual inspection and remove any dangerous or potentially dangerous items from floor level to a height where he can’t reach them. Things like power-saws and laser cutters etc.

Oh yeh, and tags/links (can’t think of the simple name for them) that stop cupboards from being opened, like under the kitchen sink where a lot of people keep nasty chemicals.

roughbarked said:

Postpocelipse said:

This includes….

Books.

Oh yes definitely. A friend gave me a complete works of Beatrix Potter that is awesome. I have a minimum of reading material gathered so far but more is on the way.

Linen – sheets etc, towels, face washers. Lots of it.

Cotton blankets for summer and warmer ones for winter.

Soft furnishings – cushions for the floor and couch. Rugs/mats for the floor. Kids spend a lot of time on the floor.

party_pants said:

Do a visual inspection and remove any dangerous or potentially dangerous items from floor level to a height where he can’t reach them. Things like power-saws and laser cutters etc.

That is covered.

JTQ said:

party_pants said:

Do a visual inspection and remove any dangerous or potentially dangerous items from floor level to a height where he can’t reach them. Things like power-saws and laser cutters etc.

Oh yeh, and tags/links (can’t think of the simple name for them) that stop cupboards from being opened, like under the kitchen sink where a lot of people keep nasty chemicals.

Yes that would be good idea. Xander loves to reorganise cupboards. Pulls everything out and then puts it all back. The cupboards here are minimal but I will figure out a way to keep them secured.

kii said:

Linen – sheets etc, towels, face washers. Lots of it.

Cotton blankets for summer and warmer ones for winter.

Soft furnishings – cushions for the floor and couch. Rugs/mats for the floor. Kids spend a lot of time on the floor.

A couch and soft furnishings maketh the home. :D

Postpocelipse said:

roughbarked said:

Postpocelipse said:

This includes….

Books.

Oh yes definitely. A friend gave me a complete works of Beatrix Potter that is awesome. I have a minimum of reading material gathered so far but more is on the way.

Join the local library and make that part of your week with your child. Attend any story-times, if possible.

kii said:

Postpocelipse said:

roughbarked said:

Books.

Oh yes definitely. A friend gave me a complete works of Beatrix Potter that is awesome. I have a minimum of reading material gathered so far but more is on the way.

Join the local library and make that part of your week with your child. Attend any story-times, if possible.

I like reading to him. Being read to is one of the few memories I have from my childhood that aren’t drenched in fear and anxiety.. I hope he has started talking. He was very vocal before his mother disappeared with him. Mostly just vocalising exuberantly but there was a couple of times he squeezed syllables that were nearly words out. Last time I saw him he seemd extremely thoughtful. I’m sure he wanted to ask me where I had been and why. :/

Postpocelipse said:

I like reading to him. Being read to is one of the few memories I have from my childhood that aren’t drenched in fear and anxiety.. I hope he has started talking. He was very vocal before his mother disappeared with him. Mostly just vocalising exuberantly but there was a couple of times he squeezed syllables that were nearly words out. Last time I saw him he seemd extremely thoughtful. I’m sure he wanted to ask me where I had been and why. :/

Has he been assessed for developmental delays?

If you enjoy reading to him then he will pick up on that. If you can share some of your favourite books from childhood – this is where the library can be helpful.

kii said:

Postpocelipse said:

I like reading to him. Being read to is one of the few memories I have from my childhood that aren’t drenched in fear and anxiety.. I hope he has started talking. He was very vocal before his mother disappeared with him. Mostly just vocalising exuberantly but there was a couple of times he squeezed syllables that were nearly words out. Last time I saw him he seemd extremely thoughtful. I’m sure he wanted to ask me where I had been and why. :/

Has he been assessed for developmental delays?

If you enjoy reading to him then he will pick up on that. If you can share some of your favourite books from childhood – this is where the library can be helpful.

My lawyer cannot as yet force any information to be passed on. I am in the dark as to anything he has experienced since Feb last year. It is a very uncomfortable position to be in. When we are together it is a bit of an ‘inseperable’ relationship. He must be very unhappy. I was removed from just a family friend at an early age and I thought about it for years.

Carmen_Sandiego said:

i like the cut of your jib

Carmen_Sandiego said:

LOL

diddly-squat said:

Carmen_Sandiego said:

!http://www.chertseybouncycastles.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Stocks.jpg

i like the cut of your jib

TWSS

Postpocelipse said:

Carmen_Sandiego said:

LOL

I cannot find any way to imagine Xander misbehaving. I hope his mother has been giving him enough attention that he doesn’t feel ignored.

Family discord is so awful. Unfortunately it is so common.
The father of my sons still tries to play games even with the minimal contact we have. My sons are 26 and 31 now :( and I know they both shield me from the crap their father says about me. I’m not looking forward to dealing with him when I get back over there this year.

Postpocelipse said:

Postpocelipse said:

Carmen_Sandiego said:

LOL

I cannot find any way to imagine Xander misbehaving. I hope his mother has been giving him enough attention that he doesn’t feel ignored.

that’s almost as funny as what CS posted

kii said:

Family discord is so awful. Unfortunately it is so common.
The father of my sons still tries to play games even with the minimal contact we have. My sons are 26 and 31 now :( and I know they both shield me from the crap their father says about me. I’m not looking forward to dealing with him when I get back over there this year.

Commiserations kii. I have stopped trying to rationalise her actions. She is vindictive and that is all the reason she needs. :/

Postpocelipse said:

I cannot find any way to imagine Xander misbehaving. I hope his mother has been giving him enough attention that he doesn’t feel ignored.

It’s more complicated than that. Kids needs boundaries and positive attention. Maybe get in touch with a local council to see if they have any parenting groups run by professionals. They can be invaluable for both parent and child.

All the best.

diddly-squat said:

that’s almost as funny as what CS posted

If you referred to my not being able to imagine him misbehaving you would have to meet him to understand. He would just follow me around as if he was paying attention to everything I did.

kii said:

Postpocelipse said:

I cannot find any way to imagine Xander misbehaving. I hope his mother has been giving him enough attention that he doesn’t feel ignored.

It’s more complicated than that. Kids needs boundaries and positive attention. Maybe get in touch with a local council to see if they have any parenting groups run by professionals. They can be invaluable for both parent and child.

All the best.

you too and thanks for the ideas.

Thankfully here we’re all above average parents and above average drivers

Dropbear said:

Thankfully here we’re all above average parents and above average drivers

Got an excellent quality baby seat given to me. Now the original fairly basic seat I got him is a spare. :)

Postpocelipse said:

Dropbear said:

Thankfully here we’re all above average parents and above average drivers

Got an excellent quality baby seat given to me. Now the original fairly basic seat I got him is a spare. :)

just fit it to the spare front passenger side seat

diddly-squat said:

Postpocelipse said:

Dropbear said:

Thankfully here we’re all above average parents and above average drivers

Got an excellent quality baby seat given to me. Now the original fairly basic seat I got him is a spare. :)

just fit it to the spare front passenger side seat

I was thinking of putting a sundeck on the car roof. A spare baby seat would provide it a seatbelt. Good thinking!!! :P

Postpocelipse said:

Is there anything I have left out essential to maintaining a healthy environment for Xander?

A full stock of Disney DVDs and books and toys and lunchboxes and don’t forget the Frozen probiotics for children .

Divine Angel said:

Postpocelipse said:

Is there anything I have left out essential to maintaining a healthy environment for Xander?

A full stock of Disney DVDs and books and toys and lunchboxes and don’t forget the Frozen probiotics for children .

Pixar is absolutely essential. I’m addicted to them but haven’t been able to watch anything without Xander.

I haven’t gotten around to seeing Big Hero 6 yet :(

Divine Angel said:

I haven’t gotten around to seeing Big Hero 6 yet :(

don’t worry… the ‘on ice’ version will be touring soon

diddly-squat said:

Divine Angel said:

I haven’t gotten around to seeing Big Hero 6 yet :(

don’t worry… the ‘on ice’ version will be touring soon

Let the records show I am wearing my unimpressed face.

Divine Angel said:

I haven’t gotten around to seeing Big Hero 6 yet :(

6 of them? I haven’t got around to the first!! Goldmine! :D

Divine Angel said:

diddly-squat said:

Divine Angel said:

I haven’t gotten around to seeing Big Hero 6 yet :(

don’t worry… the ‘on ice’ version will be touring soon

Let the records show I am wearing my unimpressed face.

I saw it at the movies… you’ll have to try to remember what that’s like…

;)

Divine Angel said:

diddly-squat said:

Divine Angel said:

I haven’t gotten around to seeing Big Hero 6 yet :(

don’t worry… the ‘on ice’ version will be touring soon

Let the records show I am wearing my unimpressed face.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!! DA frowns upon denegration of children’s animation!! Attend to your households lest the sun not rise on you on the morrow!!! ;)

diddly-squat said:

Divine Angel said:

diddly-squat said:

don’t worry… the ‘on ice’ version will be touring soon

Let the records show I am wearing my unimpressed face.

I saw it at the movies… you’ll have to try to remember what that’s like…

;)

That is something I have been haging to do. Take Xander to a movie.

Postpocelipse said:

Divine Angel said:

diddly-squat said:

don’t worry… the ‘on ice’ version will be touring soon

Let the records show I am wearing my unimpressed face.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!! DA frowns upon denegration of children’s animation!! Attend to your households lest the sun not rise on you on the morrow!!! ;)

Stands by with Clarion in case DA calls to war…………

Last movie I saw at the cinema was Gone Girl. There’s probably a Mum & Bub session I could go to.

Divine Angel said:

Last movie I saw at the cinema was Gone Girl. There’s probably a Mum & Bub session I could go to.

If there isn’t sue.

Divine Angel said:

Last movie I saw at the cinema was Gone Girl. There’s probably a Mum & Bub session I could go to.

I watch that a few nights ago… I found it incredibly predictable…

Divine Angel said:

Last movie I saw at the cinema was Gone Girl. There’s probably a Mum & Bub session I could go to.

Last I saw was Guardians of the Galaxy.

I thought it was pretty good, much better than the trailer made it look.

diddly-squat said:

Divine Angel said:

Last movie I saw at the cinema was Gone Girl. There’s probably a Mum & Bub session I could go to.

I watch that a few nights ago… I found it incredibly predictable…

And half an hour too long.

Divine Angel said:

diddly-squat said:

Divine Angel said:

I haven’t gotten around to seeing Big Hero 6 yet :(

don’t worry… the ‘on ice’ version will be touring soon

Let the records show I am wearing my unimpressed face.

Is that like the RBF?

JTQ said:

Divine Angel said:

Last movie I saw at the cinema was Gone Girl. There’s probably a Mum & Bub session I could go to.

Last I saw was Guardians of the Galaxy.

I thought it was pretty good, much better than the trailer made it look.

I thought it would make a very good tv series.

craft supplies- playdough, pencils, paints, child scissors, glue, paper,
computer or ipad and educational games
dvds
games you are willing to play with him (board type games)
sport equipment- trampoline with surrounds and pads, kids golf and cricket sets

realele said:

craft supplies- playdough, pencils, paints, child scissors, glue, paper,
computer or ipad and educational games
dvds
games you are willing to play with him (board type games)
sport equipment- trampoline with surrounds and pads, kids golf and cricket sets

I had bought him his own tablet. That was stolen by some streety on her entire prescription of valium. I don’t know who stole his brand new trike less than two weeks after he was given it. One of these. :/

I have some art and craft stuff already. Will be keeping an eye out for board games.

Carmen_Sandiego said:

Damn, I was going to make the same point (but without the picture).

So I’ll just wish you all the best.

The Rev Dodgson said:

Carmen_Sandiego said:

Damn, I was going to make the same point (but without the picture).

So I’ll just wish you all the best.

You also. :)

A nightlight could be of value. It doesn’t necessarily need to be placed in Xander’s room. Perhaps the hallway; just somewhere to give him an idea of where he is and how to get around the house should he wake during the night.

I wouldn’t overdo it on toys at this stage. They can become overwhelming when there are too many and besides, it could be fun to shop together for them.

toy guns

lots of toy guns

Speedy said:

A nightlight could be of value. It doesn’t necessarily need to be placed in Xander’s room. Perhaps the hallway; just somewhere to give him an idea of where he is and how to get around the house should he wake during the night.

I wouldn’t overdo it on toys at this stage. They can become overwhelming when there are too many and besides, it could be fun to shop together for them.

We have a lot of shopping to catch up on.

A puppy.

How old is he?

dv said:

How old is he?

He will be 4 this year.

headsie said:

A puppy.

Maybe next address I have will have the room for that.

Postpocelipse said:

dv said:

How old is he?

He will be 4 this year.

You said that your son is not talking? As soon as you can get a professional assessment of him. Also look into an early childhood service – like a reputable preschool.

kii said:

Postpocelipse said:

dv said:

How old is he?

He will be 4 this year.

You said that your son is not talking? As soon as you can get a professional assessment of him. Also look into an early childhood service – like a reputable preschool.

In feb I won’t have seen him in a year. I have to assume he would be talking I just haven’t got details. Apparently knives are screwdrivers for heartsurgery…….

I cannot imagine not seeing your small son for that long :( it’s hard enough when they’re great big galumphing young men. I miss my 2 boys heaps of heaps. Smelly, noisy things they are.

Even among those people who think mandate politics is a thing, I don’t know how they’d argue that the government had a mandate to make cuts to health, cuts to education, changes to the pension, cuts to ABC and SBS, given that they gave very specific promises to the contrary. If they do in fact broaden the GST it will be a clean sweep.

Fred Wong

Wiggles DVDs.

It might sound wrong, but kids of that age just love them.

A cardboard box or two, and some cardboard tubes.
A ball to kick.
A bike or scooter to ride.
Pictures of people he loves.
A telephone (with his name on it) to ring whomever he wants.
Cushions and blankets to build forts with.
A magnifying glass.
Mud, a hose, a sprinkler.
Hats and sunscreen.
Books.

Enjoy.

A planner. Big and bright. Plans and appointments (with pictures).

3-4yo kids LOVE structure.