In just a heartbeat, everything can change. That’s the reason behind our endless worries. We choose vehicles with top-notch safety ratings and devote countless hours to researching car seats and their safety assessments. We cushion the sharp edges of furniture and secure cabinets filled with cleaning supplies.
We lay our little ones down on their backs and remove crib bumpers. We invest in baby gates and grasp tiny hands as they navigate uneven surfaces. We equip them with bike helmets, knee pads, and elbow guards. We even pick homes in safe neighborhoods with great schools, stretching our budget to ensure a secure environment.
Our shopping carts fill with organic milk and wholesome snacks. We schedule doctor visits for vaccinations and flu shots, all while teaching them to look both ways before crossing the street. Before allowing playdates, we meet their friends’ parents, adding another layer of caution.
We hand over cell phones for peace of mind, enabling our kids to reach us anytime and vice versa. We discuss peer pressure and spend weekends practicing driving in empty parking lots, wanting to relax but too anxious to relinquish control. We emphasize the importance of curfews and honesty about their whereabouts.
We encourage them to stay home while addressing serious topics like drugs and assault, all while providing them with a cab company’s number, reminding them that they can always call us, night or day. We meet their roommates and wish we could have met their parents too.
Driving home alone, we recall a time when our houses were baby-proofed with locks and bumpers, filled with tricycles and laughter. But then, the doorbell rings in the wee hours, and we learn that the car with the airbags we trusted couldn’t shield our child from a reckless driver.
We sometimes receive calls from the school informing us of accidents—apologies are offered, and we’re urged to get to the hospital, hoping it’s not too late. Other times, we’re simply watching them, when suddenly they choke, and no amount of intervention seems to help. And sometimes, they stop breathing without warning.
We recognize that it only takes an instant for life to take a different path. We realize that despite our best efforts with helmets, pads, and constant communication, we can’t truly control the course of our children’s lives. That’s why we worry. That’s why that worry will always be with us.
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out our other blog post on how to reach out to us here. For information on at-home insemination kits, visit Make A Mom, which offers expert insights on this topic. Additionally, for excellent resources on pregnancy and insemination, check out WebMD.
Summary
It only takes a moment for everything to change, and as parents, we constantly worry about our children’s safety and futures. From choosing safe cars to discussing important life choices, the protective instinct drives us to do everything we can. Yet, despite all our precautions, we realize we can’t control every aspect of their lives, which is why that worry lingers.