Is this a scene from Home Alone?

The main factors affecting child development generally stem from the nurturing actions of the parents. Somehow though, we have cultivated my son’s unbridled quest to set up death traps.

He can’t have got the idea from that tenacious little American child in Home Alone, he surely hasn’t developed that much yet?

On all too often an occasion, it is folly for me to make an attempt at going from one room of the house to another without serious life endangerment.

So, what has child development got to do with it?

Child development is, as quoted by Wikipedia:

The biological and psychological and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of adolescence, as the individual progresses from dependency to increasing autonomy.

I will choose some specific parts of this – emotional changes, and increasing autonomy.

Autonomy is an ability; an ability to do something by oneself, for oneself.

As I amble through to the kitchen to make myself a well-deserved cup of tea, imagine my surprise when all of a sudden a duplo brick is hurled toward my descending foot, and the nappy changing mat is thrust viciously into the back of my leg. A toy farm vehicle, to make things worse, hastily makes its way in front of me, to ensure a painful landing.

I didn’t teach him that, he taught himself. That is autonomy. That is child development.

Laughter is a reaction to an emotion – the emotion of happiness.

Ah yes laughter, one of the best and most enjoyable influences on child development. Parenting, I believe is as simple to understand, as it is difficult to execute. To love and nurture your child is the best stimulant for their growth, but what do I know of emotional and psychological growth in children? Well, as much or as little as any other adoptive parent, I suppose…

So as my footing is lost, and I tremble and fall precariously toward the solid tiled floor and tractor, I use my knees as brakes. My son erupts into fit like states of laughter, uncontrollably bent double, with the dribble from his teething laden mouth slowly meandering onto my face.

That is laughter; an unconditional emotive response. That is child development.

It is with great regret that I cannot blame Hollywood for my son’s accidental attempts on my life. In fact, I shall not be blaming anyone. Instead I will rejoice that he is having so much fun.

As long as he keeps laughing, I will keep falling, and he will keep growing.

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About the Author: Andrew McDougall

Andrew is an adoptive father, and stay at home dad. Having adopted his son in January 2013, he is a new adoptive parent, but well versed in the adoption process. He is a married, coffee drinker, Xbox addict, and a graduate of Marketing. Andrew McDougall is an alias he uses to protect the identity of his adopted son.