When 'Walkers' Were Fun

In the 90's walkers were a big baby item, or so it seemed to my adolescent self. We can all remember the commercial with the baby in the walker running around (also featured on Hocus Pocus, which is why it is so easily recalled). But, are walkers really a thing anymore? I don't know. I'm sure some idiot allowed a child to walk it down the stairs and then the walker got a stigma...

I digress. I'm not really in the mood to have the walker debate. Short story is, Olive has one and she loves it.

She hasn't quite figured out the crawling thing. And, when I am cooking, she gets bored sitting in her highchair just watching me. So, Heath often puts her in the walker. She chases the dogs, tries to open cabinets and drawers, and grabs anything that she can possibly reach.

This results in me trying to unload and then reload the dishwasher, with someone trying to roll away with the empty bottom basket. I will roll her away, which only results in her running full speed into the dishwasher. Then, she starts grabbing again...

I end up using one leg to hold her at a distance while trying to load dirty dishes. I even tried distracting her with items across the room. No such luck.

That part, isn't even the biggest problem.

She rams my ankles. 

She starts at one end of the kitchen, gathers momentum, and gets 6 to 8 foot of speed....right into the back of my ankles. I don't even see it coming.

It hurts. It hurts real bad. That walker cuts right into my achilles. And, well, Olive seems oblivious.

It is the first time that I have actually said "No" to Olive.

"Olive, no-no, please."

I actually beg. "Olive, please, no."

It's like those less severe tortures...like the Chinese water torture or something.

"Okay, okay. I'll talk! Just don't hit me in the ankles again!"

The only reason I have allowed for the continuous use of this item, is that Olive loves it. She loves it so much. She runs all over. She has learned how to maneuver it really well too. I just don't know if I can take this pure joy from her. Heath has even suggested that I wear boots. I'm not sold on that one yet...

Perhaps I can find some kind of ankle protectors or braces - that I won't sweat in during the summer heat. If not, I can't promise that this thing won't find it's way to the donate pile...but, I continue to try.

The things I do for those little girls! :)