My Son Thinks He's Tarzan
Eamon may be part monkey. I can't say for certain, but I'm hoping the birth-family search will give me some clues as to any possible chimpanzees hanging off the branches of his family tree.
Remember when he shaved a few years off my life while pulling this stunt? Well, my lifespan shortened a bit more this weekend.
In our house, we have a landing with a 9 ft tall window in the middle of the stairway. Hanging in this window are some lovely chocolate velvet curtains, tied back with just the right amount of drape. They compliment our khaki wall and white moldings beautifully.
To Eamon, they apparently look like vines. As I was cooking the kids some grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, Vika came running into the kitchen and said, "Mama! Eamon crashed!"
That's never a good thing.
When I went to investigate, I saw my son standing on a foot-high step stool, holding the curtain rod in his outstretched hands, trying to hang it back up on the rack about 8 feet above his head. He had decided to swing from the curtains, like Tarzan, and naturally, the rod came crashing down under the weight of his 5-year old body.
Despite the fact that he was obviously OK (and trying to quickly cover-up his mistake), I was terrified of all the horrible things that could have happened to him. That's a lot of glass he could have crashed through, and the drop onto the ground below is about 20 feet. The images going through my mind were not pleasant.
How on earth do you get a little boy to understand the difference between a house and an amusement park?
Remember when he shaved a few years off my life while pulling this stunt? Well, my lifespan shortened a bit more this weekend.
In our house, we have a landing with a 9 ft tall window in the middle of the stairway. Hanging in this window are some lovely chocolate velvet curtains, tied back with just the right amount of drape. They compliment our khaki wall and white moldings beautifully.
To Eamon, they apparently look like vines. As I was cooking the kids some grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, Vika came running into the kitchen and said, "Mama! Eamon crashed!"
That's never a good thing.
When I went to investigate, I saw my son standing on a foot-high step stool, holding the curtain rod in his outstretched hands, trying to hang it back up on the rack about 8 feet above his head. He had decided to swing from the curtains, like Tarzan, and naturally, the rod came crashing down under the weight of his 5-year old body.
Despite the fact that he was obviously OK (and trying to quickly cover-up his mistake), I was terrified of all the horrible things that could have happened to him. That's a lot of glass he could have crashed through, and the drop onto the ground below is about 20 feet. The images going through my mind were not pleasant.
How on earth do you get a little boy to understand the difference between a house and an amusement park?
I think we need pictures to understand the gravity of the situation!
(P.S. I've got two -- I haven't figured it out either!)
When you figure it out, let me know. Mine is only 14 months and already he thinks he can breathe under water, walk down stairs unaided and climb the walls of his crib. Gah. Little Boys.
I'm with Starfish. When you figure it out, let me know. I can't tell you how many times I've told Slugger to "be careful" and his response is "I am" as he's doing something like trying to ride his bike down a rail.
No suggestions, but I think it's a total boy thing.
first off, you are doing the birthmother search too? Are you using Mary? Let me know how it goes.
Second, I bet my little girl would be right there with him doing it. She does not learn from consequence either. I hope it is just a stage they are going through. Otherwise, I am going to have a heart attack early into my 30's.
but how did you not laugh at the site of him on his little stepstool trying to re-hang the curtains? ;>
Ah, see? I laugh at the attempted cover-up but cringe at what must have been running through your mind.
All's well. No one was hurt and your mom is probably thinking back on all the near misses and near heart attacks you guys gave her!
Sandi- I expect a similar post (with photos), please : )
How do you get him to understand? Two words - you don't! Give it up. Join the ranks of mothers with their hearts in their throats. You climbed out of your crib by doing headers over the front panel - easily a neck snapper. Your brother decided to use the dresser drawers as steps to get something on top thereby making the whole dresser fall on top of him. Welcome to my world!!!
Uhm, could you spray him with a water bottle? That works with my cat :-) Oooh! Take the car away from him! Hmpfh. That'll have to wait a few years I guess.
I know this is not a popular opinion, but I am in the camp of let the kids play and get hurt. Life is risk- every time we take a drive on the highway we risk our kids lives. However, think about always staying home, never venturing out. Some of my best childhood memories are getting breaks, sprains, and all sorts of injuries. However, I know that there is a line. If your son was going to drop 20 feet out a broken window you should probably curtail that.