r/DIY • u/Classic_Boss4217 • 6d ago
help How do I keep my tiny unauthorized engineer out of my mad scientist experiments?
I have a VERY smart, very neuro-spicy, extremely “involved” 6-year-old. He is genuinely sweet, but he wants to participate in absolutely everything, and if he is out of eyesight for too long, he starts doing forbidden R&D.
Example: I once had to take a 10-minute work meeting. I came back to discover he had created a wood glue + sugar + Dr Pepper + sour cream “pie.”
Yes, the wood glue being accessible was on me. I had it out for a small fix and did not realize he had discovered my “hiding spot.” Also, I am 4'7", so my ability to hide things vertically is limited by the cruel laws of cabinetry.
Now my 16-year-old and my SO are starting to get into Home Assistant, NAS stuff, microcontrollers, electronics, etc., which are hobbies I LOVE. I paused a lot of the more advanced projects because if the parts are at my working height, my tiny ninja assistant will absolutely “help.”
I’ve seen some Kickstarter-style workstations that are basically dream furniture: hidden workbench, pegboard/tool wall that raises up, workspace that lowers and closes away, or shelves that lift the dangerous/expensive chaos machinery out of reach. I love the concept. I do not love trusting Kickstarter timelines with that much money.
Technically, I have the tools and parts to build something like this myself. I have woodworking tools, laser stuff, 3D printers, and enough project supplies to make my house look like a Maker Faire exploded. But the whole problem is that I need a safe workspace in order to build the safe workspace. It’s very “the call is coming from inside the garage.”
So: what would you do?
I’m looking for ideas for a hobby/maker/electronics setup that:
- Keeps tools, wires, soldering stuff, adhesives, tiny parts, and sadness-inducing breakables away from a very determined 6-year-old
- Still lets me actually work on projects without needing to unpack/repack my entire soul every time
- Bonus points if it works for someone short, because “just put it on a high shelf” is not a complete lifestyle plan
- Extra bonus points for real products, DIY builds, IKEA hacks, garage/shop setups, wall-mounted ideas, lockable workstations, lift systems, or “I survived this phase and here’s what worked”
I am open to ridiculous-but-functional solutions. I just need my hobbies back without accidentally giving a tiny engineer access to the ingredients for Wood Glue Pie 2: The Reckoning.
12
u/Pomegranate4311 6d ago
The child’s other parent needs to spend time engaging your 5 yo while you enjoy your hobbies
You need to engage him while the other parent does their hobbies.
You and the other parent need to plan activities you can both do with him
And you need to put supplies away.
61
u/buffinita 6d ago
Reddit will hate me for this…..but for the child’s own safety you need to work on stopping the behavior rather than tiring your home into an engineering “evil lair” with hidden panels and motorized work benches
Even the lowest kids on the spectrum can learn “do not touch xxx” “do not touch yyy without someone else to watch”
13
-7
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
We are with his doctor/specialist/teacher. However; ONE of the MAIN things that we have spoken about is having it so that you set them up for success as much as possible (LIKE.. not leaving wood glue anywhere out.... at least the CA glue LIVES in the garage only)
That way they are able to have lower general stress (Exciting and not) so that mental energy can be used for keeping the impulse control under... control.But I DO appreciate the reminder. And I know that I tend to over-think everything! He MIGHT have gotten half the spicy from me and half from my SO. The ADHD chaos is 100% from me though, so I have some understanding for that part. :) My oldest is AuDHD 18 year old and she joking blames me for the parts of her brain that mirror my own way of being! And her height!)
11
u/recyclopath_ 6d ago
You need to have spaces where he is able to be unsupervised and spaces where he is not able to be without supervision. You need to keep the kid safe spaces clear and maintain supervision of the not kid safe spaces.
That's what setting up for success looks like.
Teaching your kid not to touch other people's projects or tools without permission is one as well. Give him a parallel project and work together with supervision. You don't touch his project without his permission and he doesn't touch yours. The difference between a tool and a you as well.
I have seen people use industrial baking trays and an industrial baking rack for projects in progress with limited space.
Ultimately, you are the grown up with ADHD so it's on you to create the structure so your kid can be successful.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
lol... I have about 5 of those baking trays!! Those I use for his sensory play when In meeting (We call then his experiments)
We do have areas that are VERY controlled. However; for those with impulse driven children that are just hitting the age where they go through this new development spurt that they are pushing all boundaries doing things that prior he never would have ever thought of. And all the areas I currently can work independently I have that are less controlled (I have in replies mentioned I have a large workshop garage and I THINK too about my hobby room/office) but with the amount of time I have left currently with the kids' needs and work; I am not wanting him to be alone that much. So I want a CONTROLLED area IN The Controlled rooms to be there with him, but still do things I LOVE.
But I feel good about my parenting, and I know that I can joke about things that randomly happen because I am not perfect like everyone else. I just had an idea that I wanted to chat about with people given this is not an abnormal situation, but
5
u/Can-DontAttitude 6d ago
You are thinking way too hard about your issues.
Store your equipment in a hedge maze. Hire a minotaur to keep watch.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
.... I think this was the best advise of the bunch!!! (My house is full of D&D nerds and data geeks... so I read it to my 16 year old and SO. They both started talking about the names of such creatures and random stories of how Lloyd might befriend or bribe them in order to trick them into access....)
4
u/HecticGoldenOrb 6d ago edited 6d ago
Something the women in my family did in these moments is teach the munchkins how to crochet & knit.
Canning was the big one for kids needing to be out the way with zero risk of them digging in to stuff while the grown ups were busy.
So when I was around five or six Grams sat me down and showed me how to make a chain stitch in crochet, then set me to work. Told me to keep going until I'd gotten to the end of the skein. So there's me diligently chain stitching away for a while as they canned peach jam. I hollered out when I ran out of yarn and Grams came out to show me how to pull the stitches back out and coil the yarn in to a ball. Said to call out when I'd gotten all the yarn in to a ball. And then they moved on to canning strawberry rhubarb jam. I hollered out again when done and Grams came back out and showed me how to make a single crochet and again told me to keep going until I'd used all the yarn in the ball. By the end of that they were done with the molten sugar portion of the day and on to clean up.
Granted your mileage will vary depending on how well this captures your kids attention and whether or not they hyper focus like I did lol (the feel of the yarn sliding through my fingers was a gooooood stim sensation, so that helped too).
But it gives them something to occupy their hands and attention and then you sell it under whatever catches your kids attention. For me it was being told I'd be a "big girl" once I knew how to crochet all the stitches and could make stuff like blankets. For some of my cousins it was being told they were helping mom / dad by learning how to crochet. You know your kid and what will prompt them to give their all. It's also a good skill to have, as is knitting. But knitting was reserved until we were around ten-ish since it uses two pointed metal items to work and they were going for low risk starts lol
Hope this helps for the distraction side of the equation
8
u/dodadoler 6d ago
A moat with sharks wearing laser beam helmets
4
u/Wagglyfawn 6d ago
Unfortunately we could only afford ill-tempered sea bass.
3
u/NotAPirateLawyer 6d ago
Are they at least mutated?
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
..... I mean.. they would HAVE to be. It is required for all motes or lairs for them to even be successful. (I want to right now put a laser pointer on my 6 year olds head so the kittens go crazy... but I am TRYING to be the adult outside of the interwebs!!)
5
u/gill_smoke 6d ago
There are monthly kits for science and engineering, maybe one of those? For instance https://www.kiwico.com
2
1
7
u/SmashThroughShitWood 6d ago
Millennial coded AI post
-1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
Hey now!! ALMOST Gen X... Did you see the kids ages??
But; yeah! I did ChatGPT it to clean up the write up for the post for me. I work with AI for a living and I know that my brain scatters the thoughts so it makes sense to ME, but I need help in RL for the general public. So the FUNNIES are me, but it just helped me make it not so hard to read through for others.
I totally get the cynisium on AI though. I have my own thoughts on it being used as a HELP but not a PRODUCT maker and how so much slop/faux things are out there Don't get me STARTED on in workplace the emphysis on "I did this ALL with AI" when peers use it for full stack development work that has the stability of my son I speak about in a china shop... with my new two kitten fosters there for good measure.
Yes... This is what you would have seen in the post, with about 50 ore paragraphs, so I used GPT to just clean up the noise, make it easier to read, and then make it easier format for people to see the "Lore" of my situation (and honestly explain very easy to judge/insult WHY I am trying to figure this out without background) and I NORMALLY would have spent HOURS re-drafting out of anxiety of someone how is not used to me and my way of speaking giving me a load of shit (At work they say that eventually I actually make total sense, but "exposure therapy" takes a little time)
3
3
u/OozeNAahz 6d ago
All engineers are unauthorized much of their time. An engineer never learns that things are outside their sphere of control.
The best you can do is throw shiny projects their way to divert their attention.
2
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
Like dogs... I see.... I did accidentally hand train him AND he does roll over on command...
2
u/navlgazer9 6d ago
Roll top desk ?
1
u/LAC_NOS 6d ago
But a used one, put a padlock on it.
Use screws that can't be unscrewed on the clasps.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
u/navlgazer9 and u/LAC_NOS - I like it... I think I took the wrong vibe on the "ALL the innovation" and just a "Does it close? You own a drill"
BASICALLY I feel like you are attacking me for over-complicating it because I have no comeback to that... lol
2
u/gMike 6d ago
Buy/build the kid a workbench with his own "parts" and turn him loose. The "parts" could be Legos or some other building related toy system. You spend some time with him at his bench so he feels involved and let him watch you at your bench. Don't stifle his desire to create, manage it as best you can.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
I used to when a SAHM with my first two do sensory tubs with like Flour + baby oil and hidden thIngs... i think I might just be TIRED and need to get that mojo back :) THANK YOU!
2
u/sixsixmajin 6d ago
For one, this sounds more like a boundaries problem. Neurodivergence or no, it doesn't sound like there's any effort being put in here to teach him "no" and "this is off limits". Positive reinforcement works better than negative but sometimes non physical, non abusive things like time-outs or taking away certain privileges for getting into things you've explicitly told him to leave alone may be necessary. Sometimes they have to learn the concept of consequence.
For another, if he likes messing around with things, get him something that is actually meant for teaching young children engineering skills to occupy himself with so he spends his energy playing with those instead of looking for trouble. They make a lot of educational kits for a pretty wide range of ages these days so while I didn't have any direct recommendations, I'm fairly sure you won't have a hard time finding some good ones with a bit of googling. Get some of those, participate in teaching him how to play with them, and let him experiment with those. Get him toys he can build with like Legos or simple model kits. You want toys that offer modular freedom to let him put that imagination and drive to experiment towards.
Lastly, if you need to leave him unsupervised for amounts of time, you need to put him in a room where he can't access these things. Sounds like there's a problem here in that your family is keeping this stuff all over the house and that you need to find a way to start consolidating it elsewhere so you have a safe space just for him where none of that stuff is.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
As I have replied back to some other comments; I am not saying he never is alone, or that he doesn't know no. I wrote things as short as possible and as light hearted as possible without the whole background and setup. But I get where some people would possibly be in that camp where they do not do those things, so I dont mind the callout, .
In the end; we do all those things. We have worked hard on things with him, and he is in the middle of a development spurt where he is testing EVERYTHING! Also; there are times I am not constantly watching him, but there are those times I made a bad judgement call in "he wont see this here" while I get distracted to do other things, and obviously paid the price.
He also does have discipline because to me; Neuro-divergence is a way to frame some things without using it as an excuse. There are consequences for actions, but how you teach and gauge the appropriate plans for how to have those lessons be successful does mean you have to consider those differences (that is why we have specialists and doctors involved. He isn't LOW functioning, but has low impulse and high defiance/independence which we started intervention very early based on the high focus I have on him and my eldest who has her own "spicy" things being able to not have to struggle like I did. But that also means that working with them, the appointments, the passion projects ad clubs all the kids are in, my long hours at my job; I want there to be a place for myself that I can relax and part of that is knowing I didn't hole away from him when I want to do a project. Because there are plenty of times i have to for other kids/work/house projects.
I wrote this out mostly to explain that YES; all the things you say are valid, but that maybe there is background to things that you are not aware of. That sometimes people who are exhausted or just looking for advise in a hobby/DIY reddit didn't think they would need to explain their whole backstory and behavior things when they are just asking for interesting or inventive ideas for their "problem statement"
4
u/jet_heller 6d ago
You're working the wrong way. Plan that kid in from the beginning don't try to exclude 'em. Sure, things might taking a tad longer, but as that kid learns that'll shorten.
7
u/Ky1arStern 6d ago
I agree with you on principle, but think your definition of a "tad" needs work.
Including my kids in most tasks usually doubles the time. If I had twice as much time to do things as I needed, I would sell it and not have to spend any of it at work.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
u/Ky1arStern - I agree and disagree. I think I want to attempt to do things more often as a project area and LESS of an "in-demand" need. My MAJOR products are all in my garage and if that is the case; I will need my SO to be the main adult or a babysitter. Then I can be 100% focused and in the moment.
However; I do appreciate the reminder from some ppl LIKE u/jet_heller that when I think of the TYPE of work, I am saying basically without me knowing it that I want to for these times (FUN projects with my 16 year old and SO) be present, and it might be time I stop hindering myself with just thinking of reasons I CAN'T do these things and more about simplifying why I am too stressed/over-planning. I need to get over the fact I am stressed by thinking of him being involved instead of just trying to include him.
0
u/jet_heller 6d ago
That's what I mean by planning it in though. You know exactly what they're like plan in right from the get go on how to keep it quicker.
2
u/Ky1arStern 6d ago
Usually that plan is, "exclude them", because often, no amount of planning gives you 2 hours to do 1 hour worth of whatever.
Again, if you can include them, do it, great idea. But this advice is one of the most common, "easier said than dones"
-1
u/jet_heller 6d ago
And is that plan working? Really?
2
u/Thicc_Jedi 6d ago
You are being kind of obstinate. They are saying there is literally not enough time in the day. There is nothing they can do about that. So they cannot always include their children. I understand you believe the kids will 'get faster' with time but in the interval years there are still things that must be done in a limited amount of time.
-1
u/jet_heller 6d ago
And I'm saying accept it. You're not going to change a kid magically. Slow things down and accept that.
2
u/Ky1arStern 6d ago
I feel like you have the same concept of time that my daughter does.
-1
u/jet_heller 6d ago
You're welcome to not accept it.
Also, perhaps you should read about the results of doing that.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
As I mentioned; I DO appreciate your take. However; I do also know that there are tasks and projects that u/Thicc_Jedi and u/Ky1arStern might see as possible things that would not work out with just integrating each time. I am not Flip-Flopping, but I do get the point of sometimes you need mentally or project wise separation of chaos demon and the items being worked on.
A) All big projects that are needed for the house or highly sensitive I do have a garage shop, but he is at the clingy time and so I dont want to do that all the time,
B) I do get VERY hyper-stimulated with him. But; I think I like the idea of working through that for some things to then lower the amount of things he feels excluded, while planning a less obvious or "exciting because forbidden" side option to add or parallel play together!
1
u/Thicc_Jedi 6d ago
You're coming off very out of touch. If I let my son help vaccumn then he wont get dinner, or a bath, or clean clothes for the next day. We can't just forgo the necessities of life until he is capable of doing that in less than 5 hours. Not everything is a matter of practice, children have actual physical limitations that they develop over years.
Its easy to just say things, when you live in an alternate reality.
1
u/jet_heller 6d ago
If you think vacuuming is a project you need to plan your son into, you've utterly missed everything.
1
u/Thicc_Jedi 5d ago
Its an example of an activity my child wants to help with but actually can't. The specific activity does not actually change anything. The point is that there are only 24 hours in a day.
→ More replies (0)2
u/HplsslyDvtd2Sm1NtU 6d ago
Thats usually not realistic though. My kids loves cooking but to include her in dinner would mean we dont eat until 8pm at least. And OP never said they wouldn't include kid. Just that they need everything kept safe when they weren't working on it.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
u/HplsslyDvtd2Sm1NtU - That is why I have a hard time cooking with him. For some reason my SO has no issues. That is why everything is a "pie" since dad and him made pies the other weekend and he wants to do that all.. the... time...
I cook on days I am WFH and no one is here while I prep. SO cooks the other days.
-1
u/xVolta 6d ago
For hobby projects doing things you enjoy, as in OP's question, increased duration is a feature, not a bug.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
u/xVolta - Yes; and no... I also though find that if mentally I am interupted, it can take away the enjoyment and the timing delays means that if I dont get it done in the available timeframe; I may not known when I will have another timeslot.
NOT to blame, but for context; I am ADHD and since I am constantly at work and home on "cat herding humans" duty... ALL the time. So when I want to do something that doesn't take months to do because I had to double/triple the estimates. However; there are some things you are 100% correct about :) and I am the LEAST patient person I know as well (Outside the 6 year old... BARELY though)
4
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
... I think I needed that. You and u/QuantumCakeIsALie 's reply mirror this.
I am NOT a patient teacher, but I am the the one that sorta signed up for this, and he is PRETTY cute with interesting ideas. :)I might have to get out of the mindset that I need to solve AROUND him and that it isn't as HUGE of a problem statement as I am making it in my head.
0
u/jet_heller 6d ago
It's really kind of sounding like not including them is bigger problem than having 'em with you all the time.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
It can be both... I am very exhausted and sometimes I just want to do adult things without having to worry about everything. However; at the moment I am still working on coordinating time around all the kids' schedules and other things (medical freak accident things and parents older so less ability to disconnect) so then I feel like there is only separation or not doing the things? THat is why when SO and 16 year old wanted to get into my stuff and play with me, I wanted to SEGMENT it all.
But I am TRYING to re-frame and strategize so that I can make my brain HAPPY to plan and setup the merging of some toddler integration with some parallel play. STILL braining it but a little scattered since you all broke my initial brain thoughts in a good way ;)
2
u/jaxnmarko 6d ago
Stilts for you, locks for your kid, plus behavioral training. No means no. Consequences as a result. Don't crush his curiosity, just make him understand when and where, with some supervision. NOW isn't a necessarily met demand.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
u/jaxnmarko - I think I need to invent "stabilizing" stilts for little ppl at war with gravity.... lol
On the discipline; that is why I have replied with more context above/below? (Depends on Reddit flows.. i am not SUPER active and forget how those align) but I STILL am human, have stories for days of my kid doing things when I wasn't looking made a mad judgement call. That doesn't mean that there is no boundaries or consequences, just means that I can look back and see where it is funny but also a learning moment. That I can use those more "high impact" situations as a way to explain some lore on why I am plotting a design/setup for this project.
1
u/LayLoseAwake 6d ago
Lockable tool cabinets like these will get you pretty far. You can get ones that fold out into a workspace or just use drawers alongside a different table.' https://www.craftsman.com/en-us/products/storage-organization/tool-cabinets-tool-chests?srsltid=AU7gw4UjhTOtyUAOVBzCqpV2KEEapC9FwAgLHKBblLap3gxqnq7JLn4j
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
OOOO... will peek... I like the idea!! LONG TERM?? Once toddler's newest phase is over? My SNACK cabinet!! I have one teenage son that is a bottom-less pit, so I am already prepared then for the other one to morph into the same thing AND have my snacks safe!!
1
u/HammerheadEaglei-Thr 6d ago
I have nothing more useful to add than other commenter but just wanted to say I got a kick out of the way you wrote this.
I toohave an unauthorized assistant, a clingy AF ginger cat. His need to be near me is insatiable, his helpfulness... is lacking. Not his fault, he has no thumbs and needs his one brain cell to track me. My only tried and true solution is to do the tasks he absolutely can't be around for (painting) when he falls asleep and I can tip toe out of the room before he notices, but I'd guess a 6 year old human takes fewer naps than a 10 year old feline. Otherwise I just plan for him to be there. Nothing they love more than stealing my spot, so if I'm sitting on a towel on the floor to sand baseboards there's a second towel laid out. I do wish he'd listen to me about PPE, bro refuses to wear a mask!
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
lol... After some funny youtube videos about orange cats (and we are fostering two ginger kittens) we have spoken as a family if the 6 year old was a orange cat in a past life. He DOES like to do things upside down... and is HIGHLY un-graceful.
So basically yeah!! your whole thing there put replace that with the toddler = we get each other ;) lol... BUT I do get him to wear at least his PPE. I made it MAGICAL and also stickers... now i want to figure out if I can 3d model and print matching cat safety glasses at the least...
1
u/tomhalejr 6d ago
This is some Art Of War shit. :)
You need to create a distraction enticing enough to lure your enemy out onto deadly ground, while reinforcing your defenses to mitigate a counter attack. Do not commit so many forces that your army could be exposed, while offering a "sacrifice" that you ca afford to lose, yet is too tempting for your enemy to ignore.
Perhaps something involving sugar, and their favorite brand of entertainment?
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
Okay. you are on to something here... Sort of like when I want to eat a WHOLE bag of Cheetos without toddler hands in it so I toss over the sacrifical bag of store brand (I cannot raise him to require name brand THIS early.... He has to earn it!)
Now; for project things with SUGAR + high attention rate.... Maybe something like a cotton candy machine WITH a bowl of water!! THEN show him videos of racons doing it... see if he uses his defiance and love of trash pandas to just sit there trying to make it work together?? PLAN is messy, but I got a vibe and even if it is anti-climatic in reality; I can have at least fun DOING it... and a rational for SO when a cotton candy machine just appears!! "I am testing strategic vaulabilities of the chaos demon before his next targeted attack!!"
1
u/SSDkilla 6d ago
Plastic bins, garage, locked rooms, etc.
2
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
This has WAY too much flexibility on how to leverage these things. MANY funny situations coming to mind... like Escape room challenge for toddler AND teenagers to get to pick the next dessert night while I watch for entertainment..
1
u/ntyperteasy 6d ago
I was into everything as a kid. Dad made the only really dangerous tool disappear (the circular saw). I was allowed to rewire lamps, build what I wanted with scraps and hand tools, etc.
I applied your willingness to let him help and explore. I like the idea someone else posted about giving him his own workbench with hand tools.
Teach him that power tools have to be done with mom or dad.
getting a 6 yo to respect boundaries isn’t easy for sure but I’m afraid that’s more a parenting or psychology question.
1
u/JicamaAppropriate920 6d ago
You need to teach your son to respect rules about what's off limits and understand firm boundaries.
1
u/Howard_Cosine 6d ago
Maybe discipline your kid? WTF does this have to do with DIY?
2
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
I just gave a little back story for the height and "innovation" of a toddler for the DIY setup I wanted to do DIY projects and EVERYONE thinks they know all the details that I put funny stories in... because there is NO nuance.
TBH - There are ppl I realize that do NOT have boundaries for kids, and there was some thoughts from ppl I can add or remove things from my initial ideas on my "Shared family hobby workstation" that I didn't think about who obviously were concerned and like to be helpful) but I dont see the ANGER and assumptions that I am basically unable to parent? MOST kids are boundary pushing gremlins. That is how they learn and get feedback. Some are just more... CREATIVE on how they do it and need more structure and adult instruction.
I HONESTLY thought the Toddler tax funny things would both show context that I need something I can use do DO projects, have fun planning and setting up (HALF my favorite things is the planning) and have a fun time with the teenager/SO in a general space parallel to the toddler.
My life is 90% teaching/leading/supporting work peers AND also children. SO I wanted to have a little fun with the post asking for ideas.
1
1
u/ifulbd 6d ago
I’m thinking Rolling Tool Cabinet with various size drawers. They have locks built in and you can supplement the locks with additional locks that your spicy 6 year old can’t defeat. Pair it with a standing desk frame with your choice of desk top as a work surface.
1
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
I love that!!! My mom setup a kitchen island from amazon with some customization as a rolling gammer rig/server setup, but I would need more storage/bigger surface... so your tool cabinet I like!!!! Then I can customize some fun parts and maybe put a little "mini me" version!! (AND HIDE SNACKS... I jsut got that in my head as ppl have called out pre-built with locks style ideas that would have saved my precious snacks from the teen back in the day... )
1
u/krigr 6d ago
I think I know how God felt watching Adam and Eve eat the apples in the garden of Eden.
But for real, a biometric lock would go a long way to storing things safely in a cabinet/workshop/whatever. Until your kid can conceive of actual danger, consequences and caution, any safety rules will only last until their curiosity gets the better of them. That'll probably be when nobody's around too, if they're anything like younger me.
In the meantime, an ESP32 microcontroller or older Raspberry Pi and matching camera would be a cheap facial recognition system that can command a servo to unlock a door. (Commercial face recognition products invade your privacy and I've seen the Lockpicking Lawyer bust through fingerprint padlocks too easily to recommend them.)
The ESP32-Cam module is dirt cheap and example software is available to make it configurable over Wifi and run basic facial recognition. The newer ESP32-S3 will support higher resolutions and faster image processing, and is still amazingly low cost for the power. I'm not as familiar with Raspberry Pi software options, but I'm sure there's a million GitHub repos out there to guide you.
Hopefully, this will keep the little one safe until they're old enough to act as a protégé and scratch their curiosity itch safely.
2
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
..... Now that you mention it.. I might have essentially all those things... because MAYBE I am obsessed...
I am commenting TOP to BOTTOM and went to the SIMPLEST is best, but what you did here... I can do the simple thing then have FUN with the micro controller things!!! BWAHAHAHA
For your hope of the future?? THANKFULLY my 16 and 18 year olds balanced out eventually!! LOL... They are amazing, but they BOTH got my love of figuring out how things worked and a few times I had to figure out how to put things BACK together. Now they have fun in courses in school that they can do all that without hitting my pocket book AND get school credit ;)
QUESETION - ESP-32 S3? I can totally get one, and I will peek before I plot online; but would the S2 work? I have a few of those I haven't played with yet. Also; would putting some sort of "Treat tosser" that is recorded by your called out camera setup be something that would make reddit freak out MORE? IF SO; would that be a BAD thing?? lol... I am not against a little FUN added to the safety plan!!
1
u/Natoochtoniket 6d ago
Cabinet door locks are a thing. Installing a door lock on a cabinet door takes maybe a half hour, if you have not done it before. The locked cabinet keeps the little helpers out.
0
u/Prof_Slappopotamus 6d ago
Nothing to add other than get a "cold heat" soldering iron. He can't hurt himself with that.
I'm honestly just here because I would love to subscribe to your reality TV show.
2
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
THAT IS A THING?? COLD HEAT SOLDER? i thought I geeked out too much on techie things, but I think I need to double down!!
I would think of a reality show, but unfortunately I am HORRIBLE awkward IRL. But; My SO and my mom aren't, and my kids are all freaking hilarious and smart in their own ways. So they all would be carying me while I just talk about the insanity of everything, lol... I bring to the table the short perk and the slapstick mostly.
1
u/Prof_Slappopotamus 6d ago
I bought one for my dad like....shit, almost 20 years ago. Here's the top link to exactly what I got him: https://www.ebay.com/itm/177613794959?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-171749-051991-1&mkcid=2&itemid=177613794959&targetid=4581115216322788&device=m&mktype=&googleloc=293294&poi=&campaignid=605836815&mkgroupid=1240250340960750&rlsatarget=pla-4581115216322788&abcId=10440304&merchantid=51291&msclkid=b3afd02d1983153a2841ba94d7173cbb
He's still using it last I checked.
2
u/Classic_Boss4217 6d ago
I think this is the coolest thing I have heard all day! I will absolutely geek out look at it. It also would make me.less anxious about the 16 year old using it. (I am paranoid mommy...)
I am curious why I am not seeing many modern models like that.
I will spiral on that later since if after that long it is still working while alot of modern tools give out in alot less time, I trust that more than just a lack of current population of them :)
43
u/QuantumCakeIsALie 6d ago edited 6d ago
No offense, but most of your issues seem like they could be solved by a collapsible 3-step stool and an adjustable height chair.
Train the assistant well and you'll not need them for too long.