To feel like the worst mum

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I can't stop crying. Finished work and got the kids ready to take them to Tesco to get some tea. One year old got herself in the buggy and other toddler distracted me and completely forgot to strap her in and when I pushed the buggy out of the front door she fell out as there's a bit of a drop. She fell on her hands and knees and she didn't bang her head but she was so upset. Picked her up, have her a cuddle and let her and her brother choose something nice for pudding. They're now in bed and I've kept it together up until this point but now I have just had to have a big old cry because I just feel terrible.i. Want to run upstairs and hug her because I just feel so bad

She had a cuddle and some dessert and is okay, please be kind to yourself and try to do something tonight to take your mind off of it. You aren't a bad mum, you are a tired one who was distracted by your toddler.

Mate, you're human. You were distracted, made a mistake, that thankfully didn't end as badly as it could, and you're all good.

Now have your cry, and a big ol' glass of whatever takes your fancy, and tell yourself what a wonderful Mum you are because you care so much.

Too many children don't have Mums that love them like you love your babies.

Everybody has done this. Even those super capable mums. Forgive yourself and relax.

It happens. She’s fine. No need to beat yourself up.

It happens don't worry you're not a bad mum. She didn't bang her head. I dropped mine at 6 weeks old when she fell off me in bed 😱 it's a low bed and she fell on clothing and was ok. Mines 4 now so not a bad outcome!

Bless you. This has happened to every one of us x

Don't worry - I'm sure most of us have done things like this. I did this exact one and several other similar incidents over the years. She'll not remember it and she's fine. Honestly don't give it any more thought; you are a good mum, that's why you care this much about it.

It was an accident. If one of your children did something accidentally that caused minor harm you'd forgive them and comfort them. Do the same for yourself!

I know this feeling all too well
Sending you virtual hugs
Go and cuddle her if it makes you feel better

Well done for getting to one without this happening! Seriously, there isn't a parent alive who hasn't done similar. I still remember driving to the supermarket then realising that my 3 month old hadn't been strapped in the car seat. He was fine, I was distraught. Go easy on yourself, it's an easy mistake to make.

At that age, I did this by taking shopping off the back of the buggy or something, she is OK don't worry. It will remind you for next time.

Every single one of us ( and our partners) have done something similar. She is fine and you won't do it again. Put it behind you( easier said than done... I still get a pang when I remember DD falling down the stairs 27 yrs ago) sleep well

Hands up who else has done this and worse 🙋🏻‍♀️

Yep, we've all done it. Really. Don't beat yourself up about it, OP, they're hardier than you think.

Find me a mum who’s never had a momentary lapse or a minor accident with their child, and I’ll find you a liar!
Let me reassure you with the tale of my own “bad mum” day. Within minutes of each other, my toddler fell down the stairs and my baby toppled backwards out of the open patio door onto a concrete step.
I checked my two howling offspring for fractures and then contemplated trying to explain to the A and E staff at my own hospital, how such an unlikely double injury had occurred by accident! Visions of NAI referrals to social services...
Needless to say, both DC were fine after a cuddle, I put the baby on hourly neuro obs at home, and we avoided going to hospital. But I felt just as shit as I’m sure you did!
Forgive yourself, OP. You didn’t harm your child on purpose, and she’ll survive many more bumps and minor accidents in life. She will know you love her and care for her, which is what matters.

You are not a terrible mother, kids fall all the time. You comforted her when she needed you and she won’t remember this. Be kind to yourself! You sound like a lovely mum to me

Think stuff like this happens to every parent, accidents happen

Ah, my childminder did this to my 1yo DC2. It’s so easily done. I once leaned into the car with poor 1yo DC2 on my back in the sling. Banged his head on the roof. Be kind to yourself.

Thank you all, god I needed all of your kindness. I'm going to open the aero mint chocolate bar I've been saving and watch an late 200's rubbish comedy. Probably with Seth rogan in, thankfully she'll wake up in about 3 hours for the boob so I'll be able to give her a cuddle and then the next 3 hours until morning . The happiest ive been to have my sleep disturbed

Everyone does things like this! I was playing with my daughter once and threw her headfirst into the door frame, I was a wreck at the time but we’re all fine now. Bet your little one doesn’t even remember it now!

When he was 1, my DS was sat in his buggy, with my work bag and laptop hanging from the back; he kicked the wall whilst I was unlocking the front door, whole thing tipped up and he smacked the back of his head off the stone flags.
Picked him up and his nose gushed blood- which terrified me, as he’d hit the back of his head.

7 hours in a&e later, and all was fine. I was a wreck and felt horribly guilty for months.

This stuff happens- honestly you’re not a bad mum- you’re a fallible human being- and that’s absolutely fine.

Everybody has done some version of this.... I know I have. I saw someone at my DDs school who had a little kid on the back of a bike in a seat and the bike toppled over. Beats your namby pamby buggy accident - the kid lived incidentally.

I was in such a rush once, that I got home and only then realised that I hadn't strapped my DS2 into his car seat. We have all done stupid things, we are all distracted here and there. OP, please don't beat yourself up about this. A cuddle and pudding has solved this. Your child won't be scarred by this xx

You are not a bad mum, it was a total accident. No harm done. Relax, it has happened to every one of us in one way or another!

I've done much, much worse with a pram / stairs / forgot to put break on (required an ambulance and even now 6 years later there is no comedy value in telling the story but it was a complete accident and no lasting!)

DP had DC1 forward facing and didn't notice him climb out (pram was stationary), he then went on to "run him over"