Image by mrplough via Flickr
The world is defined to familiar miles, the distances conquered daily. Your life is a series of little journeys — with paths carved from your home to your cubicle and back again. It’s an all too easy thing to move through the morning, and all steps seem free of danger. There are no worries to discover within your routine. It’s instead perfectly easy and perfectly safe.
That sense of safety disappears, however, when your child begins to crawl — and suddenly finds a wealth of worries scattered along your carpet.
The perspective you offer each day is one of maturity… and height. Your eyes remain focused on the the tall inches, with no concern for the ground below. Children, however, lack that ability. They are instead defined to their knees, must scurry about the floor to achieve their goals; and often they can find cords to pull, carpets to upend and little fragments of trash you’ve dragged inside. Nails, screws, glass, paper and more can all be seen — and then even swallowed.
It’s necessary therefore that parents kneel, allowing themselves to crawl as their children do. This will ensure that the view is unobscured and any potential dangers can be found. All outlets can be covered; all cables can be removed; and every inch of carpeting can be scoured for what vacuums may leave behind. Sliding across the ground will offer security.
Children lack the ability to censor impulses. They will scramble toward any temptation, unaware of the dangers. It’s vital therefore that all parents — including you — be aware of the possible threats and remove them.
