Is it unreasonable to ask an 8-year-old kid not to touch the circuit breaker box?

Question

It's not my kid, it's my gf's kid. He's pretty stubborn. He doesn't flick them off and on, but this morning, he flipped off the breaker marked "Air Cond" because he was cold when he got out the shower. He can't reach the off button. I told him he could get shocked touching a circiut box all wet and he's such a little annoying know-it-all, he says "no, I can't." UGH!

Answer 1

No, unless you like fried 8 year olds.

Answer 2

tell his mama to get him a warm house coat to wrap up in after showering/bathing/playing..........he needs something if he is cold...you should turn it off for him....he is ONLY EIGHT...did you hear me.....8 yrs old...I don't care how mature anybody thinks an 8yr old is  ....8 is 8...help him....be the man!

Answer 3

no it's not, circuit breaker box is a dangerous item not to be approached by children.  

Answer 4

Couldn't he just turn the air conditioner down or off? Or have a stool so he could read the off button?

It is his mom's apartment and he is his mom's kid ... let her or his dad teach him about breaker boxes (though he seems already to know about them). And let them teach him that whether he "knows-it-all" or not, that still he should mind what he is told, at least until he is 21.

Answer 5

i think he wants to be an electrician when he grows up

u r the parent , it is reasonable for u to set the rules.  

Answer 6

no, absolutely not=P

Answer 7

Have you talked to the gf about it?

You do not ask him. You tell him he will not touch it again.

It seems like he is testing his boundries with you. After all, you are "mom's boyfriend". Nothing more, nothing less. So he is going to test that boundry with you and see how far he can go.

Best to talk to your gf if you two are going to live together. He is now your responsibility as long as he is in your house, married or not.

Need to express your thoughts and concerns. Possibly set up a "If you do it again" rule with a consequence.

Put up a sign that reads "Only adults can adjust" and have your gf and you come up with a learning consequence if he does it again.

Answer 8

he just needs more attention and some discipline ..no its not unreasonable  

Answer 9

I think it would be irresponsible to let an 8 year old anywhere near a breaker box.

Answer 10

Not at all! If he/she isn't allowed to be home by themselves or responsible enough (no offense) to handle a situation where the circuit breaker would need to be used...then it's most definitely not unreasonable. good luck!

Answer 11

Umm....absolutely not unreasonable!!!  8 years old??  Are you kidding me?  Time for some discipline (I don't mean physical punishment!!).

Answer 12

It's unreasonable to "ask" an 8 year old to do anything.

You need to "tell" them. DO NOT touch the crcuit breaker box!

Follow up with very hard, very real consequences. (No TV, no toys, no whatever fun activities 8 year olds are doing these days)

Think about it, if you're an 8 year old & know that pretty much nothing more than a verbal scolding will happen - you're pretty much going to do whatever you want.

I don't have kids but if I did, I wouldn't be "asking" them to do things - as if I was giving them a choice.

You do what I say & do it NOW dammit!!!!

Answer 13

I'm pretty sure that you don't want any kids near the circuit breaker box. When they start flicking the fuses for fun, you're probably going to get some heavy damage bills to your electrical products; not to mention your computer!

Answer 14

Sorry but the mom needs to be more involved.

Tape the thing down if you must but talk to the mother and have her deal with this. He obviously is trying to be a smarty about this all and his mom needs to set him straight and explain that you have authority in the house!

Good luck!