It’s back to school around here, which means our laundry has practically double timed overnight. (Psst…there’s a giveaway below!)
Anyone else’s laundry out there breed while they sleep? Just us?
We’re in the middle of that oh so fun adjustments phase everyone knows so well. So that means we’re back to routine {or really, just trying to fall into one while we fumble around and pretend we know what we’re doing}. It can be easy to feel like we’re falling behind. We’re just trying to pair up some matching socks around here.
But because of all things back to school, and the Mt. Everest of all things laundry most homes are sure to take on in the next few weeks, we wanted to share another little PSA here today. A passionate one that as parents, is important for us to share.
It’s time for a little reminder of sorts, because we’ve found that it’s in the craziest of times with our family, that the unexpected can happen. Things can sneak up on us while our minds go into overwhelmed mode.
There are hidden elements in everyone’s home: our own and in those that we visit… that we don’t always think about.
And accidents happen in an instant.
I’m going to tell you a story today about the time I totally won Mother of the Year. Yep. We all have those moments. For me, this one’s a doozy and it’s still painful. It will haunt me forever.
It’s actually quite embarrassing to admit.
When our oldest was younger, much younger, I made a mistake. Jamin calls them “bad parenting moments”. Those moments when awesome parents do things they regret. Like when he fed our kids chocolate muffins before school the other day, {he was celebrating the first day, dad style} only to have our daughter get sick on the playground as her sugar levels where dropping in the heat. Guess who’s not in charge of breakfast anymore?
We all make them, because…well we’re human and not perfect robots. But really…chocolate muffins? It was really fun for us when the school nurse called and we were those people.
Our oldest was probably around fifteen months, if that. That age where they curiously toddle, pull, grab, and want to be hands on with all the things. That age when they can be a little exhausting because you’re always on high alert. It’s not one of my prouder moments, for sure.
But I left the iron out, and on. I was in a hurry. Out of sorts, rushed for the day.
I was trying to iron my shirt. In the moment, it was the most important thing that I get ready for the day. I thought I knew where he was. I thought it was out of his reach. I turned my back for a second.
A second.
In a hurry: check.
Stressed: check.
Absentmindedly thinking I knew where my kiddo was: triple check.
It was a recipe for disaster.
For some reason, I can still remember which shirt I was ironing.
But I can’t remember what I was thinking because it’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. Hands down.
I turned my back for a second and he did what toddlers do. He got to where that iron was and pulled it down onto himself.
He was burned badly, and I will never ever forget the sounds of those screams.
I’ll also never forgive myself.
In a panic after calling 911, I decided to rush him to the pediatrician. I called ahead, and when they saw him, we learned he was going to be okay. But he suffered second degree burns on his leg.
Not my finest moment as a mom. Guess who’s not allowed to use the iron anymore? #secretlywinning
Ten years later, Aiden is absolutely fine now. No scar. And he has absolutely no recollection of the incident.
But I do.
And I know I freaking lucked out.
I’ve heard other stories that didn’t end so well.
If I could turn back time, I would. If I could undo it… The next few days I went back over it again and again in my mind… what I did wrong. What I would do differently. Where the heck my mind was in that moment. In sheer awe that it wasn’t worse than it was.
Why the depressing, awful story that makes me look like a terrible mother? I’m telling you this because yes, it’s painful. It’s one of my lowest moments. I still look back and can’t believe it happened. I can’t believe I let it happen. It’s honestly one of those stories that make me sound like a moron. But more important than my feelings or painful memories, I’m sharing this story to make the point that things happen when we’re in a rush. When we least expect it. When we think we have it all under wraps.
Normally, one would say I’m actually a pretty diligent person. But it happened to me. An accident in our home.
And that’s why I’m telling you this. Because one moment of not thinking clearly or being preoccupied with too much on your mind and going into autopilot or whatever you want to call it… it can change. Your. Life.
Kids just get into stuff. So the way I looked at safety around the home changed that day. I had taken so much for granted.
Accidents can happen in a split second. It’s something of a double edged sword when it happens in the place where our homes are supposed to be a haven for our children. It can drive you crazy, really. Let your mind go into autopilot for a second with young kiddos and it can change the course of everything.
So we’re teaming up today with the American Cleaning Institute and talking to parents about the importance of laundry safety and keeping the home a safe place. A topic we’re truly passionate about.
Liquid laundry packets are highly concentrated and should always be stored up high in a safe location, away from children.
Accidents involving young children and liquid laundry packets are continuing to occur. The American Cleaning Institute recently conducted a consumer survey and found that 61% of parents are storing detergent packets in-sight and in-reach of young children.
This is something we didn’t even think about, until we heard about what’s happening.
Today is just a little refresher on things we want you to know.
- Put those packets up and out of the way. It’s best that they’re kept up high, just like any other cleaning product, and out of reach so that little kiddos aren’t even tempted. Locking them up and out of the way when little ones start exploring is really the best way to ensure they don’t get their hands on them.
- Make them impossible to access by your children. You never know what they can get into. It’s a great thing to stay diligent in your home.
- Download ACI’s fun activity sheetfor educating little ones on what is safe to play with in the home. It’s a good idea to go over it with them, to help them understand. It’s important to never take anything for granted.
- To review the basics, this is a quick tips posterhere to help spread the word.
- The American Cleaning Institute is making it easy to help inform others. You can take ACI’s KEY Pledge to a safe laundry roomand routine, to be automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win a $2,500 gift card for a laundry room makeover!
- The more your friends and family know, the better. So share it all, wherever you can!
We truly hope this helps spread the word, to keep little ones safe in the home.
:: This post was brought to you in partnership with American Cleaning Institute. All opinions are 100% ours. Please read our full disclosure pertaining to partnerships here ::
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends on December 31, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Open to legal residents of 50 U.S. and DC, 21 and older. Void where prohibited. For Official Rules, go to https://www.keypledge.com/Keypledge/TermsConditions.html
Becky says
Girl I get it. We have all been there in some version. It sucks when things happen. I think it’s awesome that you guys are sharing such an important message to make families aware. Sometimes it’s the things you don’t think of that are the most dangerous.
Anna says
So glad your little boy is okay. Thank you for sharing this PSA. Those laundry packets are a real danger no one really thinks about
rose l. says
Accidents happen no matter how careful you are. I am glad it was not any worse and has not scarred him.
Sue says
If it wasn’t for luck,there would be no people. We have all escaped death or serious injury from sheer luck. Please remember we have all done something that put us or our children in danger. Thanks for the PSA.
Jana says
Wow I had almost the exact thing happen at my house with my sweet boy. His little leg got burned from a clothes iron that I was using in his room on a small ironing board that I had placed on the floor. Yes that was terrible! I still feel awful about it and he’s now 20 years old but he doesn’t remember it. He had a scar for years and I still remember how it looked but I just asked him now to look at his leg and I don’t see the scar anymore. That doesn’t keep me from beating myself up about it when I think about it. I would never have intentionally hurt my son (and neither would you!) but it just makes us more aware of how quickly things can happen. I can tell you’re a wonderful mom to your kiddos (and puppy dogs too:)! Love your blog! Exciting things happening at your place!
Brittany says
Almost the exact same thing happened with my younger brother and the iron. I have a curious 10 month old now myself and I feel ya. It’s always good to have a reminder to pay attention to all those everyday things we so easily pass over.