Stilts for Christmas? What to Do with My In-laws Dangerous Gift for the Kids ...

I just have to saw that I had stilts as a kid and 1) they were so much fun and 2) stilts usually have a low level that you use until you get good at them. So not dangerous. I say give them to the kids and let them use them.

I don't understand how they could be any more dangerous than a bike trampoline, scooter, etc. Just follow basic safety rules.

I see you posted a SWH. Good for you. Let them have fun.

Hmmm, not sure how stilts are any more dangerous than skates, scooters, skateboards, bicycles, skis, swimming pools, horses, etc.
Can you explain why this is an issue for you?
Unless your kids aren't allowed to ride, roll or swim I just don't get it...

Go with your hubby on this. Stilts are no more dangerous than a skateboard or ice skates. If the kids are old enough let them have a try. If they aren't then put them away for a couple years. You have to ask yourself if this is the hill you want to die on. Hopefully your answer is no and you stop being upset over this silly stuff. Its not like they are giving your kids a chain saw.

How old are your kids? I think stilts are a great gift! We had them as kids. And my nieces did, too. And my kids loved trying to walk on them when they were big enough. They aren't very successful right away, and once they master it, they lose interest. I don't understand what you think is so dangerous about them. Take them out in the yard and let them try. They'll probably end up shoved in the garage and forgotten about in a matter of days (or maybe even hours). Are your kids limited in some way in their physical skills that would make these more dangerous for them than other people? Put on a bike helmet, and let them try.

Your previous questions indicate that you have a son in middle school and younger daughter. You didn't mention her age, but your boy is old enough for stilts. I think you should not only put them under the tree, but let them be used when the weather is appropriate.

I got a unicycle for Christmas from my uncle in Alaska. It went under the tree and he gave me tips on how to learn to balance it. When he left it went in the storage building in the back yard.

When my mom died I found it. I would have loved to learn to ride it when I was a kid. I didn't have the energy and time to devote to that adventure as an older adult.

I think stilts would be a blast to have and learn to use. Why not let the kid do them? I like your inlaws...okay, I know there is more to the story about what all they do but really, they sound like they think out of the box and would be fun to be around as friends.

My ex bought my oldest grandson a pogo stick one year. I thought it was fun and awesome. His mom threw a fit about how no one knew how to do those anymore and that he'd be made fun of. He loved the pogo stick and my ex took it home with him and when the kids visited him that boy loved to go out and bounce and bounce and bounce and bounce. He wore it out. But if his mom had her way he'd have never been on it.

If the stilts are super long ones, taller than the kiddo then maybe put them aside until they're taller. But if they're the ones that are just a yard or so tall any age kiddo can learn to use them.

I think it's tough when 2 parts of the family don't agree. I think your husband is trying to sit on both sides of the fence - get the kids excited and then manage to lose or hide the stilts? And what happens when Grandma asks Kid 1 or Kid 2 how things are with the stilts, and the children say, "Don't know. Dad threw them away."

Any piece of sporting equipment is potentially dangerous. How many kids are playing soccer and risking concussions? (And more to the point, how many kids are riding on school buses with no seatbelt? How many toddlers learn to navigate stairs? How many kids climb on monkey bars?)

The key is to provide safety gear (helmet, elbow pads, etc.) and then have some ground rules about using them (not in the street, no pushing, no throwing basketballs at the kid who's on them....). At least the equipment doesn't have them bouncing against each other like a trampoline does. And it encourages them to play outdoors (good), develop coordination (good), and work on balance skills (good). A friend of mine has 3 kids (all teens now, 1 in college) and they did the stilt walking in Boston's First Night Parades. The daughter also did the hair-hanging act! It was theatrical, athletic, and fun. The point is, they practiced and there were reasonable safety precautions taken. If the kids won't follow the rules, THEN you take the stilts away until they can behave maturely and safely. Let them know that it's equipment for responsible teens/tweens (or whatever your kids are) and that they need to rise to the occasion.

I think I would have a huge problem if the grandparents wanted to give the kids a gun, and I would say no. But stilts? I think you can find a common ground and work out something that satisfies everyone.

I encourage you to NOT put the gift away - I think that's guaranteed to create tension.

What is it about stilts that you find dangerous.

Neither set of grandparents have done this with the grandkids.

If your concerned, get a helmet, some pads and you're good to go. We had them as kids, and my nieces have them now. We insist on protective gear, and smooth surfaces, like my parents did. Sure, they may fall and get some bumps and bruises, but the same happens with just about any game or sport they play.

I'm not sure I understand your concern. Can you explain why you think stilts are so dangerous? With safety gear and supervision, I don't see an issue.

i'm a little taken aback by your characterization of stilts as a 'dangerous' gift. i mean, they're stilts. they're not going electrocute your kids. by your measure, bikes and swingsets and roller skates are all 'dangerous gifts' that your in-laws should avoid.
i myself would be delighted (and yeah, worried too, but no more so than when my kids got on a pony or a snowboard or crouched behind home plate with a bat swinging by their faces.) and i'd stuff 'em in some helmets and pads and get ready to make videos.
i also don't get not being honest. honesty and courtesy go together pretty well, and most people don't get bent from having someone offer them courteous honesty. 'mark and mary, thanks for the stilts. what an unusual and thoughtful gift, and so fun. however, due to (my child's unusual degree of clumsiness, the constant earthquakes in our backyard that make it too unsteady for stilt practice, my own hyper-protectiveness and need to make sure my kids have no fun) we're just not going to be able to use them. how would you like to handle this? i'd be happy to return them if that works better for you. i know where cottony bubble-wrap suits are on sale this week.'
put presents under the tree and then tell your kids they're not allowed to play with them? seriously?
khairete
S.

File it under 'sports equipment'.
Give them at Christmas but they have to be used outside and spring is about when they'll get a chance to try them out.

My husband gave my kids an air rifle, which could also be considered a dangerous gift. I made sure they had the correct safety equipment, training and rules. It was no longer a dangerous gift. Let your kids have the silts, assuming they are age appropriate, and make sure they know the rules to use them safely.

Just make sure they try them someplace grassy and soft, and wear a helmet!

Your two options are to be direct with your in-laws and ask that they return the gift and exchange it for something you feel is appropriate, or accept the gift.
It is not fair or adult to be passive aggressive (trying to veto or get rid of a gift without owning your position to the people it impacts and/or hurts) and also pretend to be a kind, thoughtful person.
Since you've decided to let your children open the gift... let them have the gift. As their mother, who thinks the gift is dangerous, do your best to make it safer. Stilts are about as dangerous as a pogo stick, scooter, or bike. Require them to wear helmets. Knee pads if you want. Establish appropriate areas for their use. etc.
Then, enthusiastically (or at least sincerely) support the gift. "Wow! You look great!" not "I don't know what your grandparents were thinking."
OR, tell your in-laws the truth. You aren't comfortable with your children having stilts and you would like them to get them a different gift. Be okay with the reality that they will be hurt, likely angry, and frustrated at being told to buy a last-minute gift. Those are reasonable feelings for them to have.

My sister-in-law has given my daughter many gifts that I believe to be too dangerous/"grown-up"/too advanced for my 3 year old. I usually put them away with the intent to bring them out when she's "ready." There's no reason to torture a kid by showing them a gift they can't play with yet.

I don't know how old your child is, but if they're old enough, I would put them under a tree for the grandparents' sake as suggested by your husband, but explain to him/her that they can't use it yet.

Some kids are not so coordinated. You know your own kids! Our kids are both super coordinated very young...as in learning to ride bikes without training wheels by age 4, roller blading by age 5, doing tricks on the pogo stick as soon as they were heavy enough, catching air over little jumps on their razor scooters. Both kids were excellent skiers by age 5. Of course we make them wear helmets, lay down rules, and keep a close eye on them. Yes, there are dangers with any sporty thing, but it's just so fun! So, stilts would be very welcome and an exciting gift at our house! I say let them try it with an adult next to them. Make them wear knee pads and elbow pads and a helmet. Our kids get awesome at things like this with practice.

It's the holidays - no one needs added stress or family issues. Just put them under the tree and deal with the safety issue later.

They will get bored with them super fast. Kind of like a pogo stick.

Memories. I remember we had stilts when I was little. One of my older brothers loved using them. They must have been about 4 feet long because he was able to walk on them in the basement hunched over a bit but they seemed huge to me. He must have been about 9 or 10 yrs old. Just make rules for using them. The kids may find that they are not interested after a few tries. The only thing that ever caused an ER visit was when my brother that loved the stilts climbed the tallest tree in the neighborhood and fell out of it when he was about 15. Ended up with a broken leg.

Updated

Memories. I remember we had stilts when I was little. One of my older brothers loved using them. They must have been about 4 feet long because he was able to walk on them in the basement hunched over a bit but they seemed huge to me. He must have been about 9 or 10 yrs old. Just make rules for using them. The kids may find that they are not interested after a few tries. The only thing that ever caused an ER visit was when my brother that loved the stilts climbed the tallest tree in the neighborhood and fell out of it when he was about 15. Ended up with a broken leg.

Your husband isn't being very helpful. I wonder how he will feel if one of your kids ends up in the ER over this.

Well, maybe he'll learn a lesson. Maybe your parents-in-law will too.

Good luck.