What's your freaky safety (or other) toddler issue?

[sheila]

I am boderline freakishly paranoid about water and about balloons. I am scared to bring both girls to the pool by myself because I am certain *someone* would end up in the deep end...

And I am mean when it comes to balloons. I am so paranoid about Maggie biting one and choking on it (the latex can do a marvelous job of sealing the windpipe so that not even the Heimlich can help) that I almost always decline balloons when offered. And when I can't decline without a complete tantrum, they are killed the first time she isn't paying attention.

Stagg is freaky about the stairs. He has seen Maggie stumble on them a couple times, so he won't usually let her walk up or down without him standing right there. (this is an improvement... until a couplr months ago, she used to have to hold his hand )

What about you? Or are we the only freaks?

[Wendy]

I am pretty nervous in parking lots. I am always afraid that Abby is going to take off and end up getting hit by a car.

Sheila- So I guess I would go in your "bad mommy" book for letting Abby swim to the deep end as I walk along the edge?

[Lette]

I too am paranoid about the latex balloons! I always get the other kind (their name escapes me )

Balconies are the other paranoia. Even though I have a clear net on our balcony down the shore, I insist on being out there when my daughter wants to go out.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Lette

I too am paranoid about the latex balloons! I always get the other kind (their name escapes me )

That's mylar.

I don't think I'm really paranoid about anything. Mary, on the other hand...

[kim]

jeez i guess i should have been more concerned when tony was biting on his balloon the other day?

i'm a bit paranoid about the stairs, i let him go up and down on his own, but not if he has socks on (hardwood stairs).

[TtownAnne]

We're parking lot freaks too - Caroline is generally so excited to be outside in any form that as soon as she hits asphalt she's off and running so I'm paranoid she's going to dart out in front of a car and be smashed.

[sheila]

Originally Posted by Wendy

Sheila- So I guess I would go in your "bad mommy" book for letting Abby swim to the deep end as I walk along the edge?

oddly, not at all. I am very comfortable with other kids swimming. And I know that if Maggie were to fall into the deep end while wearing her floaty suit, she would be ok... I just get paranoid because I could see a moment of choice there. Leave the baby in the float to get the toddler, or leave the toddler to figure it out.

[Kateydid]

Well this Grandma is TERRIFIED of latex balloons. I know someone who lost their 3 years because of a balloon. I used them to decorate for my children's parties but NO child ever touch one. They were all disposed of the minute the party was over.

My other biggie is medicines. I'm always sweeping to make sure I haven't accidently dropped one of my pills on the floor. Although Owen doesn't usually put things in his mouth .....a pill....does look like a vitamin to him.

[sheila]

Anf the thing that makes me truly nuts is that I really, really want them to be water kids.

[bunybomb]

Boiling water......my grandma's brother was scalded as an infant and died.

I always boil water in a kettle on the back burner and I never leave it unattended if my kids are in the kitchen. It creates horrible pictures in my mind.

[gulp!]

another one who is convinced my daughter is going to get hit by a car. I also worry that one of my kids is going to get snatched. I hate going to the park alone with them b/c it generally means I need to park Krishan under a tree and go chase Emma. The entire time I play with Emma, I've got an eye on the stroller, ready to sprint if someone tries to abduct my baby.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by gulp!

another one who is convinced my daughter is going to get hit by a car. I also worry that one of my kids is going to get snatched. I hate going to the park alone with them b/c it generally means I need to park Krishan under a tree and go chase Emma. The entire time I play with Emma, I've got an eye on the stroller, ready to sprint if someone tries to abduct my baby.

How about using a carrier/sling for Krishan? I used a baby bjorn when I took Joe and Frances by myself, although Frances has just about outgrown it now. It made it much easier to play with Joe without having to worry about Frances.

Dennis

[gulp!]

I do sometimes put Krishan in the Bjorn. It's a bit hard to run around with her and climb up the jungle gym with him strapped to me, though, so often I let him sleep in the stroller. There's one park we like to frequent that doesn't have a gate on it, so that one is a pain b/c I usually have to chase Emma down (it's a park within a larger park, so at least she can't get hit by a car!), and carry her back kicking and screaming- also hard to do with K on my chest!

Another thing someone mentioned once is to park the stroller as far away from the exits as possible. That way if someone tries to take him, I have more time to either fight them or at least scream for someone to help.

Ack, this is an unpleasant topic!

[Nocona]

You're freaking me out, Stefanie

I have parking lot/street problems too.

[cimberdog]

I used to get worried about the stairs, but I'm better now that he is a good stair climber and seems to be cautious.

I am freaked by head injuries - especially since he smacked his two front teeth back up into his gums when he was about 8 months old, and then fell on his face and scratched it all up on our patio a couple of weeks ago.

I also worry about the cars.

But the two things that get me going are:

1) If he's at my mom's house and soemthing happens to her. She lives all alone. I am very reluctant to allow him to spend the night. I keep worrying that my mom might have a heart attack or stroke, or something bad will happen to her and Sam will be left all alone.

2) Pedophiles\kid snatchers. They don't even want to mess with this mama's child. They'd be very sorry if I got to them before the law. I'd hunt them down and make them pay. And I'd use that stupid book Amazon is selling to light a fire under their you know what!

[Brooke]

Parking lots and streets here, too.

And having her snatched while we're out shopping or from our front yard. Our yard is fenced but I'm still afraid someone will drive by and grab her. And I have to have her in my sight at all times if we're out. Darren will let her trail after him at Home Depot and I practically have a heart attack every time.

Darren doesn't have any that I know of.

My mom's current one is her choking on something.

[tjham]

I had this obsession with my kids and still do now with my granddaughter. When my DH is driving, I sit in back with her. I say it's to take care of her, and it is, but deep in my mind, it's so if there's an accident, one of us might still be OK to be there for her!

I used to play with my kids in our pool by myself when I was younger, but now, at 55, although I am pretty healthy, I don't think I'll take her out there unless somebody else is home. I know that's going to be a big problem because she LOVES to go out to the pool! My DH had her outside the other day and on the spur of the moment, they ended up swimming ((the pool is fenced off). When I realized it, I chewed him out and said he needed to TELL me when they were in the water so I can keep an eye on them!

[Stacy]

I am in the car hitting/someone snatching him group.

[Jillian]

We stick to mylar balloons except on rare occasions she gets a latex one then we conveniently forget it in the car and get rid of it when she isn't looking.


Neither of us are willing to let Janelle walk acrossed a parking lot, not even holding hands, she is either in a stroller or carried.

[Karri]

latex balloons & other choking hazards like hotdog and parking lots.