As Madeline becomes more mobile and adventurous, she has exponentially more opportunities to injure herself. There are so many times during the day when I see her reaching out for something to pull up on but not quite paying attention to the task at hand. Suddenly images race through my head of her losing her balance and cracking her face on the table or ledge, or worse.So far her most common issue occurs when she's standing next to a table. Once she's up, she might find something on the table that captures her attention. When she reaches for or grabs the object, well, she's not holding the table anymore, and she occasionally ends up toppling over. She's not quick enough to put her hands out to break the fall, which means she's experienced a few faceplants onto the living room floor.
Fortunately the living room is carpeted, but I worry more when she's in the rooms with hardwood flooring, or that her face might catch the edge of the table as she zooms past on her way to horizontality.
My instinct is to stay next to her at all times, ready to catch her at the first sign of imbalance. Or, if she falls, I want to sweep her up and comfort her through her cries (I think she cries because of surprise rather than pain). But is this the right approach? Does she need to experience a few tumbles as she learns to stand and walk? I want her to learn self-confidence and self-reliance, but is it too early to worry about those lessons?
My gut tells me that a few tumbles are OK, as long as we're keeping her away from the stairs and other highly dangerous areas. And, while I don't leave her unattended when she's crawling around, maybe I don't need to hover immediately next to her. And I can redirect her if she's flirting with a situation that's likely to lead to injury. (But it doesn't help that my mind's eye can imagine injury in just about every situation!)
4 comments:
Now Daddy. 1. You do not need to hover - just keep an eye on her.
2. She might lightly hit her head on the table (although I hope not) but if she does just pick her up, assure her she is okay, and redirect her. She will learn that you are there and that everything does turn out okay - don't make a big deal of it or the drama will grow as she does.
3. Just about every child gets a "goose egg" on their forehead some time in the early years. It makes the parents very sad and a little guilty, but light falls, scratches, pulling magazines from the coffee table onto her head are normal.
We want to keep our children safe and out of harms way. Madeline is exploring, learning how things work, how they fall, how she falls, etc. You will know the right thing to do as situations arise.
(And this is coming from the guy who was going to let his son live in the woods, HA)
hahah the end of our moms comment is great
Girls can grow up in the woods, too!
You said it all, Jeremy, and you know the answer to your own question--your mom summed it up!
I say hover and protect as much as you reasonably can knowing that you won't be able to be there all the time and knowing that she will have plenty of opportunity for face splats or noggin bangs when you are not. Besides when she does hurt herself she will look at you as if to blame you and say with that trembling lip, " why did you let me do that". Of course you will also get plenty of "why are you interfering with me; why don't you butt out".
You all are doing great. Madeline is adorable.
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