What babies want

Ever seen a baby go after something he (or she) wants? It’s like watching Baby Olympics. Their determination and sheer audacity is amazing. Observing the way their mind works when they see something they fancy can be amusing and scary at the same time. Toy companies can spend millions on research and studies to discover what babies want and which educational and fun toys are most marketable to parents but what they don’t understand is simple. Babies don’t want things made for a baby. They want things that are not made for a baby. They want our things. Ever notice how they covet our remote controls, laptops, cameras, cell phones, purses, wallets, photo albums, magazines, makeup, ink pens, shiny things, breakable things, and so on, and will usually do anything in their power to snatch them? With unrivalled stubbornness and a will of their own a baby will stretch, maneuver, squeeze through, go over, go under, dodge, dash, and dance around a table with incredible finesse, just to get what they want. Yes, babies want our things.

And that’s not all they want. They want our dog’s things too. Why a baby finds Fido’s prized possessions much more irresistible than their own I have no idea. I mean really. What is so desirable about an icky bowl of dog chow, a slobbered over squeak toy, or better yet a gently used (or not) piece of rawhide? Heck if I know. I’ve tried to figure this one out for myself. I’ve sat my inquisitive and intelligent grandson Jude on the floor and surrounded him with stimulating objects such as building blocks, musical play things, colorful baby books, etc., all to no avail. Without shame nor remorse and right in front of my eyes he will spot, dart, and crawl at the speed of light after a thing he should not want, or have, as if it is the most desirable and fascinating thing on this earth.

And last but not least…cabinets and drawers. Babies want them too. Anything that pulls open and anything with a door and they are there. As can be seen in the following clip it didn’t take Inspector Jude long to overcome my lame attempt at childproofing cabinets. All I can say is I am out of practice, it’s been a long time since I had to do this, it’s time to buy a childproofing kit, and...Gotta love that Jude!



And now,
…a little childproofing tip from Ty Burrell (Modern Family funny guy)