When you are facing the beginning of yet another week that is likely to involve much more looking for work than actual working-for-pay gigs, you do not need any setbacks. Luckily, I think we just avoided a major setback at the Doolittle home as our 20-month-old little girl decided to climb up the side of her crib and take a courageous, yet very unrecommended plunge to the floor. Leaping out of her crib at 5am is extremely problematic, but she was not hurt. That’s all that really matters. But moving forward brings many concerns.

This suddenly opens a door into some decisions we did not anticipate having to make for quite awhile. We can proceed as usual, hoping this event does not repeat itself. We can try to figure out how to make things more safe (cushions, netting, something!) , or we can fully transition her crib to a toddler bed. As exciting as this prospect is, it contains inherent problems. We cannot expect her to adjust immediately to sleeping in a newly-designed bed. It is quite a big change to her every day comfort and routine. My biggest concern is that she would be able to get out of bed at any moment, making it possibly much less likely that she would toss and turn herself back to sleep. Though it also would allow her to go straight from sleeping to being able to play in her room.

It is a tough call, and we are not sure what to do. It does seem clear that going to the park several times last week and climbing all over the playground, and its slides and tunnels, has accelerated her climbing ability. Since a child of that age cannot logically dialogue with parents about such matters, we’ll have to decide something fast. Bed time is only eight hours away. Good times!