Hey moms,
Over the long weekend we were visiting a family at their beach house, who have a 1 year old.
At one point the mom asked me to carry her son from the family room downstairs up to the deck where his father was.
I did that and the father saw his son run back in the house.
A couple minutes later there was a loud thud and the son had tumbled down the stairs.
Turns out I hadn't latched the gate properly....I have been feeling horribly guilty about this ever since.
The parents did all the right things - called their ped and will take their son into the doctor's office this week. The baby seems absolutely fine.
But I still feel awful and responsible...Not sure the right thing to do in this situation?
Thank you everyone for your wisdom, input, and personal stories. You have made me feel better. I have spoken to the parents today after the doctor visit and everything checked out. You guys are right kids are tougher than you think and accidents happen. But this will help me (and hopefully those reading this board!!) be one step more cautious in the future.
Thats why accidents are called accidents. I would just call and ask about him. That would be appreciated.
.
We've all been there - either with our kids or someone elses. Accidents happen. Sounds like he's fine. I would just call after the dr. appt and check in and let them know you are sorry about the accident. They may have seemed upset when it happened - as all parents are - I was upset with "me" when I was the one who didn't watch my daughter closely enough when she was 7 mos (all is well at 3.5).... Feeling the way you do, just means you care, but please don't beat yourself up about it.
They are a lot more resilieint than you think and it was a positive learning experience, so don't worry. I did my best not to be a helicopter parent and my little boy would go up the playground ladders and everything. When we took the train or bus, he would walk by himself from age 1 year. He has fallen lots of times, even hit his head, but now his balance, coordination and speed are amazing. He can walk up those 50 or more steps at Government Center better than me. It is better that they fall and injure themselves than they have helicopter parent(s). So many adults out there do not understand healthy boundaries. So don't worry. He will be find and it will help their son's independence.
Accidents happen. Try not to feel bad about it. Speaking from the parent's point of view.. even we (who supposedly know the ins and outs of every piece of equipment needed for a kid) don't latch gates properly sometimes and things happen.
Just last week my son managed to pull the gate between the kitchen and office down on himself. It was up, put up correctly and tightly, but he still managed to pull it down. He fell backwards on the kitchen floor and of course hit his head. Things like that happen to just about everybody!
Oh my, I've lost track of how many times my toddler has fallen down the stairs ON MY WATCH. Seriously.
Don't feel bad. Things happen, especially with little kids!!!
Just ask about the little guy and if there is anything that you can do. It's not your fault and I'm SURE he's fine. Kids bounce and are incredibly resilient!
You're not to blame and I'm sure this will not be the only time that little guy falls down stairs or gets hurt...............I take it you don't have any kids..........If the Dad saw him run back into the house, he should have gone in anyway.....gate latched or not.............you don't let a 1 year old run around in a house by himself.........
He's a 1 year old, I'm sure he is fine and if he seemed fine, he probably is.......this is just the beginning of what is to come........
Not your fault, Mom and Dad should know better than to leave a one year old in a house alone for any length of time......
Take care.
Awwwww.....truth of the matter is that accidents happen. They're accidents. You didn't do anything intentional to hurt him. I know you feel bad but sometimes stuff happens.
Send them a note and a gift?
Look, it sounds like the boy is fine, thank god. Here's a story for which I still feel guilty, 35 years later -- I was babysitting someone's kids for a few days, and I took them to an indoor pool. There were 2 lifeguards, and one child I was watching was 2, one was 4, and one was 8 or so. Only the 8 year old could swim. Well I was mostly paying attention to the 2 year old, assuming the lifeguards would watch the 4 year old. Suddenly everyone is rushing to one side of the pool, while someone (not the lifeguards) was pulling the 4 year old out of the pool. She lay there, not breathing and blue. The lifeguards stared at her and did nothing. All of a sudden she vomited water and started breathing again. We all left, and the 8 year old wouldn't speak to me because I had almost let her sister drown.
I still feel guilty thinking about that, but THANK YOU THANK YOU to that adult in the pool who noticed the 4 year old drowning and rescued her. Every time I think of that I am SO grateful that person was there and that little girl survived just fine.
Accidents happen - fortunately the baby is fine. You don't have to beat yourself up.
Hi H., Just wanted to chime in and let you know that accidents happen to all of us and you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. When my son was small one of my best girlfriends watched him for me while I worked. One day she called me in hysterics saying he had fallen and bit off his tounge. I raced to her home and took him to the ER. When the bleeding stopped and we could see the injury it really wasn't that bad and no stiches were even needed. I called my friend right away to tell her that he was ok. She was still crying. And 7 hours later when I called her again to make sure she was alright, she was still crying. My son was way over it by then but it effected her so much more. These things happen, so please try to understand we are all human and toddler and babies are quick .
