I know a lot of the FTM are expressing their totally normal fears about being responsible for these new precious people coming into their lives, so how about we S(+)TM tell some of our mistake stories?
Mistakes WILL happen and the best we can hope for is that none will have lasting effects.
When DD was about 3 months old we met up for lunch with a few other D12 bumpie friends for lunch. After lunch, we decided to drive to a park and walk the babies around in the strollers. When we arrived at the park I went to take DD out of her infant seat and realized that she was not buckled in! I started bawling right there and had bad anxiety about driving with her for a good year after that happened. The park wasn't far from the restaurant, but we still had to get on a highway and drive a couple of exits to the park. It was a horrible feeling.
I know I've made many more mistakes but that was my first huge one that has always stuck out in my mind. Mommy guilt is the worst!
Re: Mommies make mistakes
I was Screaming his name and there were just swarms of people that weren't paying any attention. Finally after about 10-15 mins but felt like eternity, I saw an old woman holding his hand in the parking lot. She said she found him wandering in the parking lot saying mommy. There were tons of cars leaving the event too I can't even think of the outcome that could have happened. I started crying when I saw him and was so upset with myself. Never did I think I would lose my own kid! After talking to some mom friends about it after the event , most admitted to loosing sight of their kids at some point so did make me feel a little better but quite a horrible feeling. It was that moment that I realized how much of my world he is and cant fathom the thought of parents that have to go through the loss of a child.
I just remembered this one: when DD was about 4/5 months old I clipped a paci clip on her onesie and it took me a good couple of minutes to figure out why she was crying so hard- I had clipped it to her NIPPLE!
And to add, just this morning we were building letter blocks and it came time for clean up, so I was "helping" my 3 y/o, had some blocks in my hand and went to bed down to put them in the bag when 3 of them fell out of my hand and hit him right on the head. He immediately started crying and I felt so bad! Those wooden blocks are no joke. Told him I was sorry and all was well after about 5 minutes of him sobbing.
These things happen! I like what PP has said, it's not a matter of "if" it's a matter of "when"!
The bath and wash part went great he was all clean and smelled cute I took him out put him in a hooded baby towel that I had been given at my shower and took him off to the nursery to get diapered and dressed. In the 5 second it took me to walk to the other room babies lips were blue and he looked frozen... I started crying and roped off my shirt got a heavy blanket and sat skin to skin for an hour till hubby came home. I was a mess , hubby laughter and grab a big beach towel and wrapped our son up and took him off to get dressed.
Baby was fine but I was scared for life. I no longer have ANY baby towels in my house and our son has his own big fluffy beach towel and now his sister will have one too.
I felt like I was such a failure, how could I be trusted with this baby if I can't even keep him warm.... But he's 1 years old and he has had many more baths and he loves them, and his comfy towel!!!!!
The worst for me is that I've smacked my DD a few times because I've been frustrated and lashed out. Not that I am 'anti-smacking' but I think it should be done only if a child continues to do something that can actually harm him/herself or others. I certainly don't think it should be done to alleviate MY frustration and anger (thankfully when I've done it it's been on a nappy-clad bottom and not particularly hard). I felt like SUCH a terrible human being for doing it and, thankfully, I've worked out ways of diverting any episodes of frustration to avoid doing it again. And DD still loves me - yay!
My 3yr old DD has permanent bruises on her legs and face, because she is quite possibly the clumsiest child ever. If there is a wall around, she'll walk into it. But the worst one was when we moved into the new house just after her first birthday. The previous owners never put a railing up on the porch. I didn't think much of it, until she walked straight off the edge(4.5ft drop). DH had to put up a railing that night before I would allow her to go outside.
Colten James - 9/9/2005
Isabella Ann - 7/20/2012
SURPRISE!!! Emma Leigh - due 8/27/2015 (c-section date 8/7/2015)
This!!! My daughter constantly has bruised and scrapes all over her. She is 18 months and just fell off the bed (not for the first time, mind you) 2 weeks ago. The bruise on her cheek is FINALLY almost gone. Her knee was scraped up at daycare. One of her teachers was upset, saying she hadn't noticed the scrape for about 20 minutes after it happened- but she doesn't cry for stuff like that. She's fallen and been bleeding before and didn't cry, so I didn't realize she'd been hurt.
I love this thread- it makes me feel a WHOLE lot better knowing I'm not alone!
Awe! I can just picture your little "soapy baby" sliding to the floor! lol I know it's not funny that he got hurt, but for some reason, picturing a little slippery baby made me laugh!;P I'm glad he's fine!