Naomi is an author, a journalist, a letter-writer and a mama. Her blog is like a well-worn scrapbook, bulging with ticket stubs from far-off places, dispatches from Melbourne life, photographs of the lovely and the absurd, letters from strangers, creative inspiration, fables and dreams, and treasures uncovered. Follow Naomis' blog here
In the time it took to have one cup of coffee...
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The nesting instinct is a weird thing, and not exclusive to human beings. Any nature documentary worth its salt will reveal a mama-bird or mama-mammal busily and happily creating a welcoming place for the anticipated little one.
Oh my goodness, when I was pregnant, I couldn’t wait to create somewhere beautiful for Madeleine, even though she wouldn’t have a room of her own.
But I am definitely more aesthetic than I am practical. Thank goodness Madeleine has Mr B in her life, as well as me. I see softly draped throw-rugs, Mr B sees a smothering hazard. I see pretty blinds to filter the sun, he sees a choking hazard in the cords. And so on.
In the lead-up to Madeleine’s birth, I reveled in ideas of wallpaper murals, hot-air-balloon mobiles, pop-up books and whimsical paintings.
But pastels, stars and fluffy toys aren’t enough, it would seem, to make the world the wonderful place I want – no need – it to be for my precious girl.
Last month I met with two very lovely people from Kidsafe Victoria, to talk about a campaign they were planning, and how they hoped to engage bloggers in it. In the time it took to have one cup of coffee in a café, I learned about six new ways I could endanger my child in her own home. It terrified me. It still terrifies me.
We have unsecured bookshelves, sharp-tiled hearths, metal fans, an easily reached gas-heater pilot-light, bowls of water for the pets, Venetian blind cords, a dog, a cat and goodness knows what other hazards in our little house.
Did you know that more children die from injury than of cancer, asthma and infectious diseases combined? Are they kidding? I want to wrap Madeleine in bubble-wrap and wrap that bubble-wrap in cotton wool.
So while Madeleine grows and grows, and kicks her legs in the air, rolls over and sticks everything she can find in her mouth, I know it is time to knuckle down and educate myself. There is not a moment to lose.
Kidsafe has created the mother of all checklists to help make our homes safe, and I’m going to have to print it off and go through it room by room. I need to re-nest, and this time it won’t just be about how things look. The checklist is here if you’d like to take a look.
How do you make your home safe?
Are you a blogger? Kidsafe is hosting a blogging competition right now to support and promote child safety. They have some fantastic prizes! To find out more or to enter the competition, please visit www.kidsafeday.com.au.
