Learning about Baby Proofing and Rules

I have always believed that babies can learn rules, and that children, even young children, can learn to exist in an adult world.  Indeed, they need to learn that so that when they grow up they can be adults instead of behaving like children.  I'm trying to raise a good person, not a good baby.  And so I've always been of the thought that you don't need to baby-proof, you need to teach!  I've changed my mind.

Yes, Miss.SingSong has her rules.  You can read about that here if you missed it.  But I've realized that I want to keep those rules to a minimum.  I hate saying no to her.  I want her to be able to explore, and learn.  And as my sister so thoughtfully put it: "baby-proofing is as much about protecting your stuff as it is about protecting the baby!"

And so we changed our world and the way we live to accommodate the baby.  The floor lamp is now behind the table in the corner so that she can't get the cords.  The baskets under the table are now full of toys instead of my books.  I keep the floors clean every day.  I keep my bedroom door closed when she's awake.

God has created this world for us to learn and to grow.  There is very little that he denies us.  I know that sometimes it can seem that there are a lot of "shalt nots," but God has given us dominion over the earth and has given us this beautiful home to learn and to grow.  We try to do the same thing for our children.

As we can feel God's love in seeing and experiencing the world that He has created for us, we hope that Miss.SingSong will feel love as she is able to explore our home without her parents having to say "no! no!" too many times!