I guess it depends on the age of the kids.

I don't blame you for not wanting to/not using the cane inside your house, but if the kids are too young to grasp that they need to clean stuff up, it's not really fair to your wife to make sure that the path is always clear 100% of the time.

In that case, I'd probably use the cane, but work on establishing some routines and habits with the kids about cleaning up before switching activities or bring out more toys.

If they are old enough and simply aren't being responsible, then I'd address it as a discipline issue. I kind of feel like there should be some consequences for leaving toys laying around everywhere - like the toys go away for a while. I feel like that's not too hard-ass or anything - even kids with sighted parents should learn to clean up after themselves and be responsible for their things.

I agree with you, but I worry maybe she’s just overwhelmed. I’d honestly offer to help by taking some other chores off her shoulders - maybe she’s juggling too much. Kids are hard, and maybe she’s bad at asking for help. I know I am.

I don't see why this situation has to involve your wife that much. You need a clear path and for your kids to stop leaving stuff in the way, so you need to enforce that with them. If they're refusing to accommodate your needs, then you need to discipline them - not give your wife the responsibility of clearing up the kids' messes. And if you're incapable of parenting your own children so they meet the required standard of behaviour, then you shouldn't be looking to your wife to make up for that shortcoming. Which isn't to say that parenting isn't a team effort, it is, and your wife should support you in enforcing the rules about not leaving junk everywhere, but as you're the one with the "problem" in this situation you need to be the one proposing and implementing a solution rather than just expecting your wife to sort everything out.

Though obviously it depends a bit on how old your children are. If they're 3 or over then that's typically old enough to learn/understand that they should put things away. If they're still babies/toddlers then it's more difficult and I can see why the job of keeping the walkways clear would be down to your wife. Perhaps in that case you would be willing to use your cane temporarily until the kids are old enough to pick up after themselves? Or have one or two "kid-clutter-free" areas which she will ensure are kept clear and you can wander about freely, but you use your cane in the rest of the house?

Not a parent, but I kinda agree with you. Your own home should be accessible without a cane. I get that mom is probably tired though and picking up 24/7 does suck.

Do your kids have their own room?
If they do, make a 'no toys outside of the kids' room' rule. And if they really want to play somewhere else in the house, be strict with that they have to clean up the toys as soon as they are done.

This worked perfect for me and my little sister growing up.

If we wanted to build a pillow fortress in the livingroom or whatever, we asked for permission and often got a timelimit like "okay, but the room needs to be in its normal state in the evening when dad wants to watch TV."
No problem, children need to learn to respect and consider other people anyway.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

How old are the kids?

My nephew is 5, and my sister said it's cool to get Legos for his gifts. Some people of course asked about stepping on them. Nope. Rule for over a year now- toys that get stepped on get trashed.

Important part is toys get trashed while child is watching and knows it is never coming back.

Sister has trashed 2 Legos. That's all it took.

If your kids are very young- compromise and use the cane until you can get the kids on board. It isn't fair for your family.

No. You have fairly reasonable requests, that your house stay reasonably clean or that people tell you when there are things in your way. The only reason I would use a cane in my house is when I move to a new apartment I will need to familiarize myself around it for a few weeks.

I believe its your problem, its not your wife's responsability to take care of you. You are expecting her to clean the house, and I believe that you should clean it yourself.

You'll have to get used to occasionally walking into things. I wouldn't use a cane in the house either, but I don't mind if I walk into something.

No. I’ve never known a blind person to use a cane inside a place where they’re living.

Maybe you could help your wife and try to explain to the kids that they must pick up their toys.

I don't know one single person who uses a cane at home.

No. Even when I was living with my parents, I didn’t use a cane. I always had someone with me when I was going down stairs to spot me and warn me when there were cat toys on the floor.

Now since I’m living with my sister again, I have to remind her of this. She’s good about keeping a clear path for me when she’s home.

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Although this is kind of mean, I'd probably fake a fall / injury while they kids are there. Then have the wife "freak out" while I play the role of in severe pain.

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Then have wife rush me over to the "hospital", but really just take me to a friends house. Have some beers with the friend, crash there for the night, then come back tomorrow with some pill bottles fill of just aspirin but play it up as if they're pain killers or whatever.

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Then ask the kids to clean up after themselves so dad doesn't get hurt like that again. Who knows, but worth a try, albeit a little mean, haha.

Not TA but enforcing the cleaning habits should be on you as you're the one facing the fallout of it not being cleaned up. It shouldn't be your wife's job to pick up after them.

No, you're not TA. Definitely not.

I don't have kids at least partly because I'm blind but if I did, they would need to get with the program. I don't use a cane around the house nor would I want to.