Written by I don’t care what all the baby experts say, how many checklists you complete, or how many “proven” products you purchase–there is no such thing as babyproof.
Like all first-time parents, Steven and I made a genuine and deliberate effort to make our house a safe haven for our daughter well before she had even grown out of her newborn diapers. Hell, Steven made the rounds covering every electrical outlet in the house months before Cadence was even born. I got a lot of exercise, squatting down to pry those damn plastic covers off every time I needed to plug something into the wall, then hefting my very pregnant body back into a standing position again.
Yet, it doesn’t matter how carefully you plan, or how many fool-proof products you buy, once your child is mobile, all bets are off.
So far, we’ve been pretty lucky. Cadence actually listens pretty well for a 13-month-old, but of course, we have to be mindful. Doors must remain closed. Cabinets that house dangerous items must be locked. Cell phones and remote controls left unattended are like homing beacons. A toddler will find them every time, and getting the devices back is a delicate operation best performed by seasoned professionals–Navy Seals, trained hostage negotiators, or Indiana Jones himself.
We know we have only begun to scratch the surface with Cadence’s explorations. She has already figured out how to climb, and has been attempting to figure out how to reach the summit of the couch, using different toys, pillows, blankets and books to get her there. Any boxes left lying around–empty diaper boxes, flat-rate USPS boxes, etc.–are instantly transformed into stepstools or dance floors, depending on what kind of mood she’s in.
Tonight, Steven coralled her in the kitchen so I could vaccum the house, and she was ever so helpful cleaning out a couple of drawers while her Daddy did the dishes. Nothing says fun like Ziploc bags, ice cube trays and dish towels.
Lori Romano 