Nope, they're just kids. Regular kids that make mistakes sometimes. That's part of growing up and learning. I'm quite sure you have made a stupid decision or two. And that's okay, because, like OP's children, you are human and also learn from mistakes

I was never that dumb. I was dumb, but not so dumb that I put tide in the gas tank. I would usually just do a bad job cleaning the exterior.

some kids don't know anything about vehicles or the details on how it works. I wouldn't have known tide would have damaged anything THAT badly. So, unless you have some understanding on vehicles and the mechanics of it, it won't always be considered "that stupid".

Just because you made different mistakes than OP's children while growing up, you think it makes you smarter? Well it doesn't. It just makes you different. Congrats.

That's good that nobody started it! Unfortunately it can be a bit pricey to have the fuel system cleaned out, but definitely cheaper than fixing the vehicle if it had been started.

If they're -4-, why was the Tide within their reach? At the very least they knew it was for cleaning and not consumption, but that is how dangerous accidents can happen. You guys really need to be more careful. I understand there is a newborn in the house but 4 year olds can get into all kinds of crap and it's only a matter of time before they run out onto the street or decide to down some drain cleaner to "clean their sick tummies", or because it looks funny, etc.....

They're almost too smart for their own good. I sat them down and told them that what they did didn't work, and that another further "assistance" had to be cleared with their mother and me before they did it. I'm pretty sure they got the message, and I hope they'll come to me before they do something like this again.

with the innate ability of twins to co-operate, anything less than 2 feet from ceiling is within reach. As for why ... if the idea occurs to a child they will run with the option. "Because I thought of it" is all the reason they need.

4 yo twins AND a newborn? You and your wife have your hands full when you are both at home, let alone when one of you goes out!!!

That's great that they understand. Not every kid is like that, though, which is why it worried me at the beginning. Sometimes they do things so intelligently that you'd think they were 10 (when they're less than half that age, even!) but then they turn around and do something stereotypically "kid-like", lol. My son got into all kinds of trouble, and he was always a pretty smart kid. So smart, in fact, that anything even remotely "non-kid friendly" had to be put away in a locked ceiling cupboard. It's not that I honestly thought he would drink drain cleaner per se, but that, sometimes, things happen, and people (or other kids) can put weird ideas in their heads... Etc. Hope your car didn't cost too much to fix.