My son is going to ruin my pale ale

[n2fooz]

I understand that. Do you and the others that posted on here saying it is not a big deal realize that it only takes a few ounces of alcohol to cause alcohol poisoning in a child that age? I did a quick google search and found a case of a 6 month baby who died with a BAC of .205. The medical examiner said that it was caused by the baby consuming 1-1.5 ounces of 80 proof spirits. The mother is now in prison.

I just do not understand how hard it is to keep the fermenter in a room the child does not have access to.

It's called natural selection...

 

[bovineblitz]

The kid isn't going to hurt himself even if he magically discovers the "delicious taste" of airlock vodka.

Relax, crazy people.

Cute story.

 

[Dome555]

Yea guys, jeez, relax a bit. I was drinking vodka out of my sippy cup by age 8 (still how I like it at 26) and I turned out... hiccup... just fine.

I kid I kid, except about still liking the sippy cup, but really guys? You think vodka in an airlock is worth attempting an internet lecture on parenting? I'm just going to go ahead and assume sarcasm, not worry, relax, and well you know the rest of it.

 

[ChandlerBang]

Moderation is key. Kids will be kids. Regulate actions dont coddle.

This is what I'm saying. Kids need to play in dirt to build immunity, touch a hot stove to know it hurts, etc. The job of the parent is to monitor their environment so that the child can make it to adulthood without serious injury. I see no problem with the OP. He had a fermenter in a location that I assume he usually keeps he fermenters. This was clearly the first time the kid was messing with it. So he removed the "risk" as it has been characterized.

How do you handle outlets? Did you have an electrical contractor move all of the outlets in your house out of children's reach? What about sharp corners on tables? And I'll be he has a toy or two capable of blunt force trauma. Where does common sense precautions turn into the ridiculous?

For the record, I am a big fan of the 2nd amendment and believe that while access to my guns need to be STRICTLY controlled, the best prevention to accidental firearm injuries is education. My children (not old enough yet) will get all the education and experience with any gun I own, as long as I'm there with them to teach them how to use and respect their power.

 

[SwampassJ]

It's also possible for him to fall and crack his head at walking when he's 2, you need to immobilize him now.

 

[Weizenwerks]

One extreme to the next. Typical.

 

[msarro]

Yea guys, jeez, relax a bit. I was drinking vodka out of my sippy cup by age 8 (still how I like it at 26) and I turned out... hiccup... just fine.

I kid I kid, except about still liking the sippy cup, but really guys? You think vodka in an airlock is worth attempting an internet lecture on parenting? I'm just going to go ahead and assume sarcasm, not worry, relax, and well you know the rest of it.

Agreed on this one. My parents were from the generation where adding a dash of whiskey to a baby bottle would help calm down the baby, and rubbing whiskey on the baby's gums would help with teething. And they're from "America's greatest generation." A splash of vodka won't kill anyone. Considering that its an airlock, I would assume there's probably more alcohol in a dosage of nyquil.

 

[astropunk]

Everyone is a better parent than the next. No wonder our laws and liberties are so screwed up.

OP, I like the story. Reminded me of my kids when they were young. Enjoy the times, they go by fast. Let the haters hate.

 

[CoalCracker]

Overprotective parents raise pansy children. Kids are going to get into trouble plain and simple. I had a gun since I was 6, guess what, no curiosity. Was aloud to have a beer at home before 21, guess what? Didn't have my first beer til I was 21. Remove the curiosity, remove the potential danger down the road. Guide them, don't try and protect them from everything.

 

[RTKBA]

Overprotective parents raise pansy children. Kids are going to get into trouble plain and simple. I had a gun since I was 6, guess what, no curiosity.

I assume you mean they let you shoot it under strict supervision? If not either you are a story teller or you had some extremely irresponsible and completely stupid parents. Who the hell gives a six year old a firearm? It is one thing to take a 6 year old to the range and let them plink around with a .22 but if they actually let you just run around with it they are retarded. No 6 year old can display proper firearms safety.

I am not saying to be overprotective. I am saying learn your lesson. The OP put a fermenting bucket in reach of a 1 year old. Then waited till the kid pulled the airlock off 4-5 times before he realized that it was not a good idea. As I stated in my earlier post, It is unlikely the child would ingest the 1-1.5 ounces need to be fatal, but the chance is there. There is also the chance of the batch getting ruined (I can tell more people will be concerned about this then a child getting injured) . So I ask again, why not be smart and put it somewhere the child can not reach it?

It is a fact that children will get into things and will get hurt it is how they learn. but that does not mean that parents should not remove unneeded risks. There are enough things in a house that can injure a child without adding more unnecessary risks.

The main concern here is not the fact that a child pulled off an airlock. It is the fact he did it 4-5 times before the OP realized it would be a good idea to move it.

 

[RTKBA]

For the record i would be saying the same the same thing if the airlock was filled with water. It is just lazy parenting

 

[RegionalChaos]

I just do not understand how hard it is to keep the fermenter in a room the child does not have access to.

I'm not advocating one way or the other about vodka in the air lock, but I have to ask, do you have children? I've got a 3 year old that is a bit of a terror and loves to go where he shouldn't and loves to make a mess of things.

 

[heywolfie1015]

[QUOT

For the record i would be saying the same the same thing if the airlock was filled with water. It is just lazy parenting

OP here: I suppose this is my own fault, but you don't know all the facts. Still, I find it pretty ridiculous that you are accusing me of being a "lazy parent." Seriously, where do you get off? This occurred over the space of two hours and while we were trying to clean our place up for an open house. I didn't have anywhere else to put the bucket at the time (because the place had to look ****'n'span) and my little guy was all over the place, getting into everything. After we finished up, I had the moment to write this post because I found his fascination amusing. At all times, he was within both my and my wife's sight. I subsequently moved the bucket out of reach after the open house exactly because he spilled the airlock and demonstrated that he would do so again.

I note that you're a new member, so you should know that I won't use stronger language than this or post again in response to you because this forum is about collegial conversations regarding making beer. My kids are safe and have never gotten into my beer supplies before or since my OP. This was a first time occasion and I have adjusted my storage practices exactly because of it. RDWHAHB, and get your nose out of my business.

 

[jbrookeiv]

For the record i would be saying the same the same thing if the airlock was filled with water. It is just lazy parenting

 

[SwampassJ]

Stop being a lazy alcoholic, you're supposed to drink it not float in it.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I assume you mean they let you shoot it under strict supervision? If not either you are a story teller or you had some extremely irresponsible and completely stupid parents. Who the hell gives a six year old a firearm? It is one thing to take a 6 year old to the range and let them plink around with a .22 but if they actually let you just run around with it they are retarded. No 6 year old can display proper firearms safety.

Tell that to everybody in rural Nevada.

And yes, they usually are teeny tiny .22 rifles meant for small children to allow parents to teach them gun respect and safety at a young age... you know, where there is actually a need to use a rifle on a regular basis.

Didn't see a problem with the story. An incident occurred and it was resolved. Parent learns, kid learns.

 

[rodney]

It's pretty easy to blame it on "lazy parenting" and insult people when it's not your kid. Christ, the guy's kid touched something and now he's on trial for turning his kid into a deviant.

 

[JoeBronco]

It's pretty easy to blame it on "lazy parenting" and insult people when it's not your kid. Christ, the guy's kid touched something and now he's on trial for turning his kid into a deviant.

He must have grown up in a bubble

 

[Yooper]

What in the world is the matter with some of you? Knock it off. Seriously.

 

[CoalCracker]

I assume you mean they let you shoot it under strict supervision? If not either you are a story teller or you had some extremely irresponsible and completely stupid parents. Who the hell gives a six year old a firearm? It is one thing to take a 6 year old to the range and let them plink around with a .22 but if they actually let you just run around with it they are retarded. No 6 year old can display proper firearms safety.

It was a pellet gun and yea I was supervised for a while until I knew what I was doing. But, you get the point.

 

[Weizenwerks]

RDWHAHB, and get your nose out of my business.

When you post on a public forum, it becomes the world's business. Welcome to the Internet.

 

[SwampassJ]

When you post on a public forum, it becomes the world's business. Welcome to the Internet.

Telling someone their a lazy and bad parent because the kid got into the airlock and then speculating on the rest of their parenting skills kind of crosses that.

 

[RTKBA]

It was a pellet gun and yea I was supervised for a while until I knew what I was doing. But, you get the point.

OK that's understandable. I thought you were referring to a firearm and even with my beliefs on gun control thats just crazy.

It does appear no one is going to come to an agreement here. Some see it as cute and safe some see it as careless and potentially dangerous. I assume it has something to do with the way people are raised.

 

[snccoulter]

So I had a .22 rifle when I was 7 and I could take it out any time I wanted. We lived up against National Forest and my pops a County Sherrifs Officer got me it. I did not have to ask i could get my single shot .22 and take it in the back yard and shoot. I was provided with a safe enviroment to learn and use my rifle. I was never alowed to have a BB gun or a Pellet gun becasue they can cause unsafe actions with guns. But i was un supervised when I shot a lot of the time. Shoot when i was 10 i was squirel hunting with a semi auto .22. Yes at 1 I would not alow them to drink any vodka but then I dont see the kid actually drinking it maby licking fingers but is there a concern about that NO. I say wait till you have kids before you pass judgement on and call someone a lazy parent or just plane dumb.
Hell my daughter ran out in the street today while I was putting her car seat in the truck. Am i am lazy parent NO I am very active and I try to keep my eyes on the kids all the time but one goes one way the others go the other what happens then. turn you head for 30 seconds and they are into all sorts of stuff. DO NOT pas judgement untill you have a few running around

 

[robtotten]

You're lucky. With my son it only takes 5 seconds!

turn you head for 30 seconds and they are into all sorts of stuff. DO NOT pas judgement untill you have a few running around

 

[VoodooManX]

Wow. The lazy parent comment was really out of line. That poster obviously doesn't have children. I am also surprised by the people making comments about firearms. My 19mo old manages to get into things that I thought were completely impossible. You know you're a parent when you don't hear your child screaming nearly as much as when you DON'T hear them at all.

We all need to be responsible whether it's booze, guns, driving, staring at the sun, you name it.

To the OP: raising them is a trip isn't it? It's easily the best experience on earth. It's easy to get defensive when someone criticizes your parenting, especially if you're as serious about it as I am.

We all live different lifestyles. The less we judge, the more we learn.

 

[VoodooManX]

I assume you mean they let you shoot it under strict supervision? If not either you are a story teller or you had some extremely irresponsible and completely stupid parents. Who the hell gives a six year old a firearm? It is one thing to take a 6 year old to the range and let them plink around with a .22 but if they actually let you just run around with it they are retarded. No 6 year old can display proper firearms safety.

And your SN is RTKBA Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Shame on you sir. There are very many 6yo's that can display firearms safety. In my professional observation children are much better learners than adults. Name calling isn't cool.

 

[Yooper]

When I said knock it off, I meant it.