My children are at a really scary point in their development (they are just over 2.5 years old).  My one son has discovered how to disengage the pressure mounted gate.  Both of the boys are starting to listen a little bit better and I have some trust in them (but not very much at all).  They know they are not allowed to touch certain things and are pretty good about it, but I get scared when I think about the night.  I put a pressure mounted gate on their door every night to keep them contained in a pretty baby-proof room.  I just don’t want them wandering around in the dark, half asleep.  Plus with the Christmas tree up and the living room furniture rearranged I’m afraid they might get disoriented and fall into the tree.

I was really worked up over the fact that they can open the gate.  They don’t climb over it, mind you – they actually lift up the arm and open the latch!  It had happened several times (and times when my husband put it on the door and when I put it on the door so I know one of us isn’t putting it on wrong) so I know it’s a fluke.  I thought I was going to be at the time when I’d have to go gate-less and no protection and then I had a thought:

What if I put the pressure mounted gate on the door upside down?

It was worth a try, right?  So one night a few days ago I sat there and tried to work it so I could put it on upside down.  It’s a challenge to do and takes more time than the right way but it can be done.  And so far my children haven’t been able to disengage it!  I’m thrilled for right now but have another concern:

How long do you think it will be until they figure out they can climb over it?