Sliding Gone Awry

How many of you have gone down the slide with your child in your lap?  Yes, I can't hear you, but I'm willing to bet a lot of you would say yes. Fun, isn't it?

Well, it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

What not to do....

According to this article, children are more likely to be injured going down a slide in your lap than they are going alone. I found that surprising. The reasoning is that if your child is alone and, for example, her foot gets caught as she is sliding, she can probably get it out with minimal effort. But if he is in your lap, the force your weight may cause a fracture or other injury, as it did for the child in the article.

And, as the writer points out, not only is it painful and traumatic for the child, but it's traumatic for the parents too, as they feel responsible for the injury. I imagine that must be a terrible feeling. Things like this are almost counterintuitive - many of us think we're keeping our small child safer by riding with them instead of letting them go it alone.

But I'm glad that those who know best have pointed out that it's actually not safer at all. Good to know. And I'm glad that I never inadvertently caused Anna to be injured. At least the danger for us has passed because she's a "big girl now" and doesn't need anyone to go with her. But I hope this is helpful to those of you with smaller kids.

So, be sure to wait at the bottom next time.  And have fun out there!

What to do!