I am not perfect.
For all those parents out there: Have you ever done something, unintentionally, that could have harmed your children? Have your children ever done something that was funny, but could have hurt themselves if something had gone wrong? Please raise your hand if you have.
I am not a perfect person. I am not a perfect parent. I do my best to keep harm away from my children. I would be devastated if something DID happen to them. I have gone through my house to “child-proof” as much as possible. That being said, it seems there is always something that is missed, that you just didn’t think would be an issue. Or, there’s something that you were unaware of that could have caused a problem. Perhaps you turned your back on your child for just a minute. And they got into something they shouldn’t have.
Fortunately, we have not had any horror stories. The only injury requiring professional care was when Sophia was running on the main floor, slipped, and hit her head on the hing of a door. She got one stitch, which the doctor said was completely necessary. We have been lucky, and quite fortunate. (Now, we’ve had other ER visits, but those were all illness related.)
I am the type of parent who looks for humor in almost any situation. I want to have fun in life, and I want my kids to have fun in life. If my children do find the one thing that could hurt them, but didn’t hurt themselves, I will make light of it to myself and others. (Not the kids because I don’t want them to get the wrong idea.) I will then also remedy the solution as best as possible so it won’t happen again (if I can help it). I do recognize the hazard in what could have happened, but am relieved to know it didn’t.
The question is: Does this make me a bad parent? My answer is no, this makes me “just” a parent. I cannot watch my children 24/7. I cannot isolate them from the world and keep them in a bubble. I cannot protect them from getting hurt at some point in their lives. They are kids, they will test boundaries and hopefully, learn from that.
If you think that I do not love my children, are not trying to protect my children to the best of my abilities, you are sadly mistaken. Nothing could be more inaccurate of a statement.
“If my children do find the one thing that could hurt them, but didn’t hurt themselves, I will make light of it to myself and others. (Not the kids because I don’t want them to get the wrong idea.”
We are exactly the same way! And I make light of the terrible twos by referring to the kids as demons, hellions, etc. It’s all in good fun and to try to make a stressful time in their lives (for me!) a bit more fun.
Comment by Sarah — February 21, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
Ah, hon! Don’t beat yourself up! You do an awesome job and things happen sometimes! Sometimes all you can do is laugh!
Comment by Imperfect Christian — February 21, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
Welcome to the Club of Real Moms. Or the club of moms most fun to hang out with.
Comment by Jana — February 22, 2007 @ 6:06 am
Thats a great entry. I am looking around and see many things I need to get baby proofed. She’s broken several of the baby latches so I need to replace those. Ugh.
Comment by ragan — March 24, 2007 @ 1:42 am