Multi-tasking. You've done it. I've done it. But it seems the one trick every parent has employed to actually get things done is responsible for the latest "baby in washing machine" horror story.
The 5-month-old's dad was trying to do laundry and change his son's diaper at the same time, and somehow the little guy ended up IN the family's washer. The worst part? It was just beginning to fill with hot water -- 150-degree water no less -- and his tiny body was covered in vicious burns.
How does something so awful happen?
Easy. Dad turned his back. For a second the authorities say -- they're treating the baby's fall into the washing machine as an accident, and they say there are no signs of abuse.
I've done it. You've done it. Most of us just got lucky.
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I wasn't in that New Hampshire home. But I can picture how it all went down. Here this guy was, trying to get things done around the house, and his little guy made a stinker. He doesn't want to leave him to sit in his own poop, but the washer is filling. So what does he do? He grabs the kid and starts changing his diaper, right next to the open washing machine. He turns to grab something and ... oh. My. God.
I'm not going to pick on this poor father. He's already kicking himself, I'm sure.
But as this little guy gets treatment in a Boston hospital, his story can help the rest of us. We can't stop multi-tasking as parents. If we did, my house would look like an actual warzone (not that "street the day after a parade" is much better, but we're working on it!), and no one would actually eat a meal in this place.
What we can do is slow the heck down. Don't get so caught up in what has to be done that we stop thinking about "how" to do it. True emergencies in life are -- thankfully -- few and far between. Really. It may feel like it all has to be done this very second, but those towels will not get up and walk off in a huff if you don't scoop them from the bathroom floor in the next five seconds. That phone call can wait -- if they don't leave a message on the machine, they obviously didn't want to talk to you THAT badly.
Just think -- if you don't chill out, that could be YOUR little one inside the washing machine next.
What's gone wrong in just a few seconds in your house?
Image via Andrew Kelsall, Graphic Designer/Flickr
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Comments 56
this happened a few months ago, i was doing the dishes in the kitchen and my then 3 year old stepson was surpost to be watching tv. but we all know how well small children are at doing what they are told and staying put. it was only for a minute or two but some how he managed to sneak past me and go upstairs. i heard a noise and him calling for me to help him. i went to see what was wrong and somehow he had gotten his arm stuck in the railing of the stairs! i dont have a clue as to how it happened but i managed to get him out and he was fine but i felt bad about it. he could have hurt himself or worst. sometimes all it takes is a few seconds and anything can happen.
Awe, poor child! I hope the baby is ok! As for the dad, I feel bad for what he must be going through. We all make mistakes, especially as a parent.
I never got why people load the machine while it's filling with water. Just fill it then turn it on after!
I read somewhere that 120 is the hottest your hot water heater should be, but recently read where sheets should be done between 130-150 to really kill everything. I am allergic to our dogs so I figured I would turn up our hot water heater for bedding loads. Yep doesn't go above 135.
I am a bit confused as to what happened here though. They keep diapers in the laundry room? Don't most people keep them in the child's bedroom? Hopefully the little guy will be okay.
That's so sad =(
Accidents happens and you feel enough blame without anyone else adding to it. My son can escape the 5 point harness in his stroller, climb the baby gate, open drawers I had no idea he could reach yet and he's only just turned 2. I hate these stories but it's good to remind people that accidents can happen anywhere, so often we become absent minded from the stress and exhaustion of being a parent, and I can honestly say when I became a parent I didn't expect the washing machine to be such a hazard.