As a parent, your entire goal is to keep your children safe. This starts from the very beginning with stair gates, toilet locks, and cabinet guards. You spend the better part of the first years of your child’s life protecting them against anything that could go wrong in your home. You breathe a sigh of relief the first time you don’t have to dice a hot dog into tiny pieces. You no longer feel anxious when it is “too quiet” while you run upstairs to grab something you need.

Your worries change as they grow up. Slowly, the cleaning supplies can stay out in plain sight and the bed rails come off of the “big kid” bed. Life at home gets easier.

And then you begin to focus on the outside world. Continue reading →