“Every year I do a PSA on going down a slide with your child on your lap.
When Meadow was 12-months-old (I went down with Matthew first, but he was lucky), I went down the slide with her on my lap and her foot got caught between me and the slide!
This picture is the moment her leg was breaking. She’s still smiling because it was happening at this exact moment.
When we went to the ER, the super empathetic doctor lectured me on how common this injury is. I had no idea. I thought everyone took their kids down the slide.
I strongly feel every playground should have a warning sign, but since I’ve never seen one (and we go to A LOT of playgrounds), I share this picture every year in hopes the pain Meadow felt and the guilt I still feel will save other babies and parents from the same. Don’t ever go down a slide with a baby on your lap. There is no SAFE way to go down a slide with your little.
Turns out I was told it is literally one of the top 3 reasons young children are seen in the Emergency Room during the Spring and Summer.
Note on how I am holding my daughter. We didn’t start this way. She was centered on my lap.
When I realized what was happening, I used my top hand to try to stop us and leaned to release her foot. I wasn’t riding down the slide with her on one side and leaning.”
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Heather Clare. Subscribe to our free email newsletter, Living Better—your ultimate guide for actionable insights, evidence backed advice, and captivating personal stories, propelling you forward to living a more fulfilling life.
Read more tips and warnings from moms here:
SHARE this story on Facebook to encourage other parents to prepare themselves in case of an emergency.