1 year old fell down the stairs 😢

The good news is, he seems fine. I’m still kinda freaking out, but he’s happy as a clam.

What’s so frustrating is I kind of saw this coming. Our house is a split level, so all the staircases are only 6 steps. This particular one has a railing on a backboard up one side that continues along the wall in the hallway at the top. I have a tension gate that I can put at the bottom of the stairs but haven’t been able to find a gate that works at the top because of the railing. And that railing runs along the hall right to his bedroom door, so I can’t even put a gate further down the hall. My son is really good about stopping at the top of the stairs. In fact, this morning I think he was trying to turn to reach for me to pick him up when he lost his footing. And unfortunately I was just far enough away that I couldn’t grab him when he started to fall.

I’m thinking I’ll put a line of bright colored duck tape a few feet before the top of the stairs and just teach him to stop there. (He’s actually good with that concept-the babysitter has certain “don’t pass this spot” areas that he’s good at obeying.) It’s either that or the minor construction project of removing the hand rail so I can put up a gate.

Like I said, he’s fine, and I’m sure my heart rate will return to normal at some point. He has a little bump on his forehead and bit his lip, so there was a tiny spot of blood. Other than that, I think the worst part for him was that mommy wouldn’t stop hugging him for like an hour after he fell.

Thanks for reading my emotional outpouring. ❤️