Emma and the Peanut

It turns out that the second child in the family has to be not only protected from things like outlets and sharp corners, but also the older sister and that turns out to be far more challenging that I had anticipated. For instance - last night Lorelei and Andres were happily engaged in shelling and eating peanuts. Lorelei said that Emma wanted a peanut too. I told her that no, Emma could not have a peanut. Next thing I know Lorelei has slipped a peanut into Emma's mouth. Emma was none too happy to have her mouth so unceremoniously scooped out and the peanut so rudely removed. After I screamed at Lorelei to go to her room, Andres explained to her why it is dangerous for Emma because she doesn't have teeth yet. (This was really part of an ongoing discussion on what is dangerous for Emma to put into her mouth.) How can a not-yet 3 year old really understand "danger" or imagine what choking would be like? She has no concept of dying or even really bad things happening.