the age.com article (click to view)
Something as gut wrenching as this will always cause outcry and heartache, with armed accusations such as "How could anyone be so careless?" and "I would never ever do that to my child". Let's just take a step back for a minute, because it's easy for us to say these things as fortunately, it will probably never happen to us. But the sad reality remains that though we are staunch, vigilant and true to our word in protecting our children, all it takes is a split second of lapse before one's life comes crashing down. It’s just too easy and quite simply, it's all too human.
We are able to look at an incident so horrifying, to stand back with our arms crossed and show our disdain for the parent or carer, but it took a mum on a parenting forum to put things back into perspective, "It was a loving grandmother, who was a bit out of practice". Enough said - it could happen to the best of us.
So let's all take a page from parenting 101, and remember to be more aware of our surroundings and use our buggies safely and wisely - thats why we design these little vehicles with a secure braking system and a wrist strap attached to the handlebar. Remind those who are looking after your child to be just as buggy smart. And bear in mind that we're all guilty of a bit of mind fog, so maybe this calls for a little confession time - hands up who has experienced this while out and about with your children? I know there are a few hands going up in the office now! (but if you're still adamant that this never happens to you then please, do share your secrets for a fog free brain to all us mere mortals!)
At the end of the day, we're just delighted that the 15 month old came out with only minor cuts and bruises and the family are together again. And, we're estatic that the Mountain Buggy involved in the incident remained true to its bullet proof heritage. We're not gloating, we're just proud that our buggy helped in protecting this child.
Our thoughts and well wishes extend to this Melbourne family - rest up and recover fast little one.
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But we do need to be vigilant and take extra precautions, as anything can happen. We could fall over and the buggy would sail off down the hill without us - imagine that.... not worth imagining. We need to tell Grandparents/Aunties etc to wear the wrist strap, look both ways all the time when pushing along the footpath and there is a driveway etc. It's our precious little darling in that buggy after all. But we all try hard so keep it up hard working Mums and Dads!
I saw the footage on the news the other night, and honestly felt a little sick... When you see it, you think there is no way the baby is going to survive that.
Im a dad of 2 kids, both under 4. and I have been caught out. I was putting one of the kids in the car seat while I left the other in the buggy on the side walk. I had not even got the belt around the first when I heard the other start wailing... I turned around and the buggy had slowly rolled and tipped onto the road between our parked car and the parked car behind! And as there was only one wheel on the front it had tipped onto its side. BAD DAD!!! She was OK, abit shook up from the ride, but not as shook up as Dad!.
To this day I use the brakes and the straps.
So, to the Nana in Aust who had this scare. Big love to you, and your family.
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