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From: zissos@calgary.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Falling
Message-ID: <354@calgary.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 8-Apr-85 13:08:36 EST
Article-I.D.: calgary.354
Posted: Mon Apr  8 13:08:36 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Apr-85 14:36:45 EST
References: <1171@pyuxa.UUCP>
Organization: University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
Lines: 59

> I had an awful experience the other day
> getting ready to leave for work
> that I guess I just wanted to share with
> other readers of net.kids.
> My little 21-month daugher fell down our
> stairs (8 wooden steps, no carpet) whacked
> her head and body 
> and got a large bump on her forehead.
> I proceeded to panick
> thinking that she did not survive this fall.
> 
> After three calls to my doctor and getting
> his answering machine I took my now very calm,
> happy daughter to him.  (Since we moved,
> the pediatrician is a half hour away.)
> After he examined her, stating she is a-ok,
> he turned to me and told me that unless I get
> used to the fact that toddlers will fall
> and have accidents I will not survive!
> (Of course I needed an exam by then!)
> Since she was ok, and again in a happy mood,
> I took her to her sitter, and went to work.
> 
> When my husband heard the news, he was angry
> with me: 1) for letting it happen,
> 2) for not staying home with her.
> I of course felt guilty on all counts, so
> world war 3 started!
> I would have stayed home except she was ok,
> I took her for an exam, and I do not have
> all the much time to take off from work
> and felt I should save my time for when
> I really needed it.
> 
> I'm beginning to ramble now, so I will proceed
> with my questions.
> 1)  Was I wrong to leave her?
> 
> 2)  I need something to block the stairway,
> since my little one always wants to follow up
> the stairs.  We had a coffee table blocking the
> bottom, no good, she pushes it away.
> We then tied the table to the banister; no good-
> she unties (or unbuckles when we tried a belt).
> The gates don't fit-too short.  Also the banister
> is not solid, it has slats, so the wall is the
> only support a gate would have.
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.
> Thanks for letting me get some things off my mind.
> Barb
> pyuxa!barb

I recommend that all parents have proper first aid training.  This reduces
the panic, soothing both parent and child.  Also, if a really serious
problem does occur you will be able to take immediate action that could well
save your child permanent damage.

Adrian Zissos
University of Calgary
Alberta, Canada