DEAR ABBY: A few days ago, while walking down our stairs holding my infant son, "Carl," in one arm and a cordless phone in my other hand, I tripped over our cat and fell down 14 hardwood stairs. I dropped the phone and cradled my baby close to my body.
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I ended up with a black eye, six stitches, a fat lip, a broken hand, and more bumps and bruises than you can imagine. Miraculously, Carl is fine.
Since that day, my mind has been filled with "what ifs," especially regarding my son. I am haunted by all the horrible possibilities.
It's embarrassing to have fallen down the stairs, Abby, but I know many busy mothers are distracted every day. I'm writing because I hope my experience will help others avoid such an accident. -- BLACK-AND-BLUE MOM
DEAR MOM: You learned a painful lesson. There is an old saying, "You can't do two things at once." Although many people can safely multitask, when one is carrying a baby or small child, the safest course of action is to remember you are carrying precious cargo and give it your full attention.