My mom sent me an email yesterday that had a video about a program that essentially teaches babies to swim if they are in trouble in water. I thought it was so incredible, and played it for Ryan when he got home from work. I had Annie on my lap while the segment was playing, showing a small toddler floating in the water as he had been taught to do. Annie’s little voice said quietly, “He needs his daddy.” “He’s okay sweetheart–look! he’s swimming!” We continued watching for a minute, and again the little voice, “He needs his daddy!” followed by a couple of small sobs. I turned Annie around so I could see her face. A couple of big, fat teardrops were running down her cheeks. “Oh, sweets! It’s okay, it’s okay! Please don’t be sad!” I immediately started crying as well, thinking that I had forever traumatized my little girl. I knew that the video was a little difficult to watch just by virtue of the fact that it involves helpless babies, but seeing the effect it had on Annie absolutely rocked me. Her sweet little heart wanted a hero to rescue the baby, and who better than daddy? But every second was feeling like forever and I’m sure she thought no one was coming to help, which is a terrifying thing for a two-year-old.
It took a half-hour of watching funny animal videos on YouTube to get us both calmed down and thinking of something else. And, needless to say, Annie basically got whatever her little heart desired for the rest of the night as I tried to redeem myself. It killed me that I had exposed her so thoughtlessly to something that shook her up so badly–so excuse me, but I have to go buy a pony now.
P.S. You can see the video here, and know that it’s not a graphic segment, but please keep your kids away 🙂
Campbell Family Shenanigans 