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
I'm sick of these authors telling us WE'VE done it. NO I HAVE NOT, BECAUSE I AM NOT FRACKEN STUPID AND I DID NOT PROCREATE WITH SOMEONE STUPID.
Um...actually I can't say that I ever have changed my kids' diapers next to a running washing machine where they could fall in. Do people just stand there and wait for it to fill?? Maybe I'm doing my laundry wrong....
Um, yeah, I've never changed my kid on or next to the washing machine. Laundry, for me, is just not the life or death situation it seems to be for some (author, looking at you). Have my kids had their share of bumps and bruises? Of course. But luckily, never anything requiring medical attention.
And I guess I also do laundry the lazy way... I put all the clothes in, THEN let it fill up. I don't have time to stand around waiting for it to fill BEFORE I put the clothes in. Seems like a waste of time to me...
OK, nobody is perfect. BUT why would anyone put a baby (who is old enough to move himself) next to a large container of hot water and then turn their back on him? I have to say, I felt more sympathy for the guy who left his baby in the car. That guy forgot he even had the baby. It seems like this guy just decided to take a chance that nothing would happen and lost that bet.
I have NEVER put my child next to an open washing machine that was filling with water ... nor a closed one! When you've got a baby, "mult-tasking" is out of the question! Put your child and family first -- forget the chores -- everyone else will. If someone does like the state of my home, then I invite them not to come back. I feel sorry for the baby and the father who felt washing clothes was as important, or more so, than paying 100 percent attention when changing his child's diaper.
Washing machines do not operate with the lid up. I don't understand how the machine could have been filling up with hot water with the lid still open, this story doesn't make sense to me...
Honestly it sad but why would he leave the baby next to an open washer? I mean i never would thats kind of common sense i mean expesially when its running. Why didnt he close it? I mean i fill the washer up with clothes then turn it on and close it!!
I dont blame him but something could of been done to prevent this!