Category: Parent Talk
Well, I don't plan to have kids yet, but I'm curious. If you're blind, have a kid or just watching one, how do you know where they are in the house, if they are getting into something, and what they're into? Thanks.
Katie
Katie,
You learn to listen for what you can't see first. Also, depending on their age, you will be right there with them. Baby proofing or child proofing the house plays an important part of making sure very young children don't get into things they shouldn't. Teaching older children what they are and aren't allowed to play with works when they are older.
Listening and understanding what your hearing I would have to say is the key. My sighted husband and I were watching my niece and nephew again today. However, we were watching them at my Mom's. Keep in mind, this isn't my own home...Even though I grew up there...Things have changed and I don't remember it well. But, I ask my husband what my 13 month old nephew was doing...He said, "Nothing...He's playing." I said..."Oh, it sounds like he's in the dining room..."(where he isn't suppose to be). Guess what? He was. It's just practice and a willingness to learn.
I've heard of some blind parents putting a bell on baby/toddlers clothing.
A bell on the toddler's clothes isn't a bad idea.
I don't have any kids, but I've taken care of plenty. In my opinion, the only time a bell is needed on a child's clothes is if the parent has a mild hearing loss; that bell will then give them a sound to focus on and listen for. But ordinarily, a blind person should be able to tell what a child is doing just by listening. It's not easy at first; if you've never taken care of a child before, you'll probbly want to stick with them as much as possible until you get used to relying on your hearing. But it really isn't that difficult once you get used to it.
There's a whole topic devoted to bells and leashes and squeekey booties and so on and so forth that you might want to check out regarding the, to use a bell or not to use a bell, debate. It's not too difficult. When the child is very young they are in their crib, their pack-and-play, their playyard, their swing, jumper, bouncer, highchair, in your arms, in their car seat or in a sling on your body or in a controlled area with doors and baby gates closed and there's not too much to that. When they get older you give them more and more freedom around the house gradually, while teaching them simple safety rules and boundries to keep them safe. If something sounds not quite right go check. It's better to be a little paranoid then to have an accidental injury of the baby or young child.
It's a lot of common sence and awareness. I have some site so that helps but site is not needed to keep track of kids. It's usally when they're quiet that their up to something though. hahahaha
Just lock all the cabnets, move harmful chemicals out of reach, and move breakables higher. Then you can relax a bit more. Be aware of your surroundings.
LOL, my breakables are still within reach when my niece and nephew come for the day. We haven't had anything break yet...However, having said that, I'd like to add...When (if) we conceive we too are going to move the breakables higher. It's fairly easy to keep a close watch on those not accustomed to your home; (where as it comes to breakables), but our own baby will be here a lot more often. LOL, makes simple since to us.