Baby Proofing 101

If you think having a baby is hard work, then just wait until you bring your new bundle of joy home and it comes time to babyproof your home against any dangers, both real and imagined. I was more than a bit nervous after bringing home my newborn and I spent many a day and night fretting over everything and if I had done enough.

For those new mothers out there that have not done it before, I have some sound advice that I can impart since I have been through it. I’ll let you know what worked for me and what might not work and then what really isn’t worth your time at all. It’s a process, obviously, but it is one that must be done. You have to go room by room and make amendments and adjustments, but after it’s done, it’s done and your stress levels will subside significantly.

Making your house baby proof means placing measures in each room that will stop your baby from pulling, pushing, opening, or closing things that might harm them. You should set aside a couple of days on the weekend to go through each room individually to ensure they are safe. You will have to go through this process a few times until your child reaches a certain age. Of course, you shouldn’t just take my word for it as there are loads of sites that can give you insight into the entire process. Try here and be sure to narrow down your needs with what is possible. The views here are my own, but I have several years of experience on this…and counting.

The Big Picture

In general, you should already know how safe your house is on a scale from 1 to 10. For example, your water heater should not be above 120 degrees, so as not to burn your baby during a bath. A fire extinguisher should always be located in the kitchen, with smoke detectors functional and placed in each room. All electrical outlets should have plastic caps placed over them. You also should check the basement and make sure it is free of any objects or substances that can cause harm to your child.

Kitchen

Since this is one of the busier rooms in the house – and you will be sufficiently distracted while in it – it is advised to have this room as organized as possible.

If there are cleaning supplies in the lower cabinets, then they should be relocated to top shelves. The bottom shelves can then be stocked with plastic containers, pot, pans, and paper products instead. Drawers should also place sharp objects up top, with plastic and paper bags placed on the bottom.

Living Room

I know that when there are kids around, accidents happen, and that means things fall from time to time. This is why the guards you invest in corner guards with cushions attached to place anywhere with sharp corners. The television should always be attached to an entertainment center so that it doesn’t fall off.

Date Night – Do you Have One?

Anyone that is in a relationship is in the same boat as we are. There never seems to be enough hours in the day! Whatever we do, whatever we plan, nothing ever seems to be enough sometimes. These days, my husband and I have decided to put an end to missing our together time and making a concerted effort to see one another as often as we can, just the two of us. We have learned to appreciate the precious time we have alone and have re-dedicated ourselves to getting in a few hours every week where we can just be alone with one another and our thoughts.

We have decided to make a few date nights each month where we spend a few hours together, without the baby and without discussing anything related to work. If we have to consolidate things around the house, we have actually done it. Once, we spent about a half hour of our date night searching for kitchen faucets for our renovation. It may sound boring, but we made the best of it. The most important thing was that we were together.

Can you even remember the last time you were alone with your partner spending some quality time? Even researchers understand that date nights are crucial to staying in a committed and rewarding relationship. We used to think a date night meant going out and seeing a movie or dinner, but we have since learned to stay at home and Netflix and have a few glasses of wine together if that is all we can manage. For those that think they don’t have the energy or the time to schedule a date night, you should think again! If we have to hire a babysitter for a bit of time alone, it is definitely worth it. If only for the sanctity of our minds and marriage.

What is the minimum amount of time you should set aside for date nights, you might ask? I would say at least once a week, but one time every two weeks can work as well, if you make that time special enough. And again, I stress that is doesn’t have to be a major event. That means there is no need to go to a fancy restaurant or wear a suit and tie and cocktail dress. The most important part is being able to see one another one on one and share your week – and everything that happened in the interim that you may have missed – with one another. I have come to look forward to the time I get to spend with my partner and I know he has too. 

Sure, we all lead busier lives than the previous generation and we all know how precious time is. But nurturing your relationship is also difficult and takes time but ultimately, it is worth it. And at the end of the day, having a relationship takes more than a bit of work. It’s just like anything else you really want to have. No one wants to feel taken for granted and no one wants to feel ignored.