Childproofing: More Than Meets the Eye

About two months ago, we set out to baby-proof our house. I had mentioned in passing that we were trying our best to be sensible/streamlined about it. To avoid investing money we don't really have in a million baby-gates, cages, etc. -- and mostly look to get the obvious offenders out or off the ground . . . and train on the rest.

Of course, we executed our minimal plans before Ada's mobility picked up at lightning speed. And WAY before she could pull to standing and even start (just start) cruising. In the last week alone, there have been some m.a.j.o.r drops and falls.



She has taken to climbing the fireplace. She likes to pull up on her cube storage cabinet in the new play corner. She's become ever-more confident standing at her activity center, which can tip over easily. She has a nasty habit of sitting up, grabbing a toy with both hands, and then just falling straight back onto her head. BANG!

Though I thought we had done a relatively good job, all these things show me we could do better. But not overdo it -- I feel like there's a fine line.

I found some interesting articles on the topic:

Baby-Proofing is Lazy: Watch Your Children Instead (Baby Center)
Are Retail Solutions to Childproofing Overkill? (Apartment Therapy)
Top 10 Baby-Proofing Overkill (Mybabyexperience.com)
Baby-Proofing Paranoia Runs Deep . . . Even Into Adolescence (Parents Connect)



I even discovered that people do baby-proofing as a full-time career! Obviously I'm not taking it seriously enough. Obviously. But just a minute. You see, everything I read got me thinking.

This whole baby-proofing issue isn't isolated to outlet covers and toilet locks. No, I took a step back to look at the bigger picture. Whatever else we decide to add/subtract/do/undo to our home for Ada's safety, it's really become an issue about my budding parenting style.

I think I'm trying very, very hard -- perhaps definitely against the grain of my nature -- to be a relaxed mom. To not be overbearing or hovering. Physically, emotionally, etc. You know, the helicopter mom thing. I do well with some things and not with others. And I know this issue is just the beginning. I could go on and on.

Pseudo-psychological stuff aside: I'm still looking into better childproofing methods. Do you have any resources or advice for us as we re-tool our plan? If Ada falls hard on her noggin one more time, I think I'm going to freak out!

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