Toddlers: 24 Months+

So it *almost* happened to us today...

...we were walking out of Target and I was pushing the cart while DH was holding DD's hand as she walked beside him. It was late and she was super tired but behaving like her usual angelic self, listening to us and following our directions. A petition-signature-gatherer-lady caught DH's attention as we exited Target into the underground parking lot and she asked him for his signature. DH was trying to keep a tight grip on DD's hand when she wiggled her hand free of his for a split-second. I was watching the whole thing from behind the cart. DD saw our car and began to run toward it while staring at her feet (it was raining). She obviously did not see the huge SUV right in front of her.Indifferent DH immediately lunged forward and grabbed her arm in the nick of time, while the SUV driver slammed on his brakes. I just screamed and threw my hands-up making a "STOP!" motion. Thank God the SUV driver was paying attention. Granted he was only going like 5 mph and DD would have probably run herself into the side of HIS car, but still!

DH was about in tears that it almost happened to US!? That kind of stuff happens to other people, those who don't watch their kids all that carefully, right? WRONG! Wow, sure humbled us, including DD. She just stared like a deer in headlights, trying to hold back her tears. DH was so shocked. I grabbed her and got down to her level and said to her, "Honey, are you okay?" Her lips quivered and she replied, "Yes, Mommy. We have to be careful." I just hugged her and kissed her and said, "Sweetheart, sometimes cars can't see us. WE have to watch out for cars in the street. Did that scare you?" She said, "Yes, Mommy. That truck was scary." I said, "Please hold our hands and WALK, okay?" She said, "Yes, Mommy. I walk because the cars can scare me."

Poor thing!!!!!!!! She kept mentioning how scary trucks and cars can be for the rest of the evening. I thanked the driver of the SUV for paying attention. Gosh, that is every parent's worst nightmare. And YES, it can happen to even the most attentive parents!!! Just a reminder since the holiday shopping season is here and the stores are zoos. Have a safe week, everyone.Geeked

Re: So it *almost* happened to us today...

  • This is one of my biggest fears, as my DS doesn't always like to hold my hand in parking lots.  I'm glad that nothing happened to your daughter.
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  • OMG, that is so scary!!!  This is one of my biggest fears too.  Glad that everything is okay.
  • I'm glad everything is ok.  Ben would've done the exact same thing. He hates holding hands in parking lots and to cross the street.  They are just too little to know better.  I'm going to be extra diligent after reading your story.
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  • How terrifying!  I'm so glad everything turned out ok.  I live in NYC and walk across streets with ds every single day.  You're right- no matter how diligent you are, it only takes a split second for the kids to be in danger.  It is something I think about all the time.  Give your dd and your dh a big hug!
    3 IUI's and 2 IVF's later- Brady arrived. Born at 36 weeks after PUPPS and pre-e/HELLP.
    IUI- BFN IVF #1 -BFP! Allie is our 2nd IVF baby. Born at 36 1/2 weeks after pre-e again
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  • This is why I use a leash or keep my child in the cart. How scary!
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  • It happens to the best of us.

    The one time I almost let DD walk on her own in the parking lot, a car backed out not even looking if people were behind it.

     

  • Terrifying. I'm so glad she's OK.
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  • I was holding my breath through that whole post- amazing how fast it can happen! Thank you for sharing and glad everything is ok.
  • imagespartansuzi:
    I was holding my breath through that whole post- amazing how fast it can happen! Thank you for sharing and glad everything is ok.

     

    this!

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  • Ugh, so terrifying. This happened to us when we were kids. Our dog was on a tether in the yard while my dad was mowing the lawn. My brother went to move the dog for him and the dog broke free. Dog ran out to the front yard and then across the street. My brother paid no attention and ran right after him. BAM! He got hit. It was bad, it was traumatic. My brother was knocked right out of his shoes. Thankfully all was well and he didn't even break a bone. He looked horrible though.

    Now as a parent I can't even imagine what my dad went through. FWIW, we also got a fence for the dog right after that. 

    Proverbs 12:10 "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals ChipMonkey 3/19/08 *** Turtle 1/26/10 *** CarBear 10/06/11
  • Probably my biggest fear right now... I worry about it whenever DD is out of my arm's reach.  Seriously, I'm a little obsessive.

    Also, LOLing at your siggy pic.  Thank you!!  :)

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  • Wow!  That's so scary.  I am so THANKFUL that your DD is okay.
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