Unsafe
I have discovered that my home is unsafe. For Baby L, that is. Every corner of every wall is a potential head injury when she crawls and decides to take a seat right beside the edge where the two malls meet. Every square inch of floor space not covered by a rug or foam square is an invitation for a bump on the head or a face plant. Every dangling cord, a strangling hazard. The drawers, the door hinges, the random bits of dust and lint I didn't get a chance to clear off the floor, the wheels on her stroller, our filthy shoes in the hall...and the list just goes on and on.
Enough that I could really die of worry if I chose to.
But ever so vigilantly, I follow her around like a shadow, ready to dive, ready to swoop in and pick up and cover over with my hand and distract. I don't want to limit her mobility or her curiosity, both of which abound in this active little 8-month-old. Her eyes widen with delight and wonder at the world around her, and the things that seem so insignificant to me that I don't even notice them anymore are completely mesmerizing to her.
It's beautiful to see that much wonder. It's also scary when I'm trying to keep her alive and healthy.
I have no answers. I'm thinking of hiring someone to come in and "baby-proof" our entire place, because I don't want to do it on my limited expertise and risk missing something big. I'm also thinking maybe she should wear knee pads, a helmet, and a mouth guard when she goes exploring (kidding, sort of).
What do you do to keep your kids safe without limiting them?
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