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One of the most memorable scenes in SAHM I Am is one in which Zelia’s son, Griffith, gets his head stuck in a kitty scratching post and all sorts of chaos ensues. This scene was actually inspired by something that happened to the son of a friend of mine, so I thought you all might enjoy hearing about it in her own words.
1) Tell us a little about yourself, DD. And your kids.
I’m a SAHM who runs a dayhome. I have two kids, a girl and a boy. My son, who got his head stuck in the cat tower, was 2.5 at the time of the incident. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the first nor the last time he’d gotten himself stuck in something. He’s had his arm stuck in the rungs in the dining room chairs (more than once), fingers stuck in various items, a foot stuck in something else... He’s 5 now, though, and not getting stuck quite as often.
2) Now, the kitty-scratching post incident... when did this happen?
Two years ago.
3) Was it your kitty’s post? What did it look like?
Yes, it was the kitty’s condo, a typical small cat condo. The scratching post portion had been removed before the incident (thank God!!) but the cat quite enjoyed, and still does enjoy, hanging out in the hole.
4) Now, we’re all curious—exactly HOW did your son get his head stuck in the post? What was he doing?
I honestly don’t know. He was playing in the living room, where the kitty condo was, and for some reason put his head in and it wouldn’t come back out (he’s got a big head.)
5) How did you discover he was stuck? What was your reaction? What did you say?
Well, he was asking for help or crying. I don’t remember my reaction at first, but when I couldn’t get it off, I started panicking. And I was thinking it was a very good thing that the cat wasn’t in there at the same time. I remember asking him why he did that, which seems so silly now because a 2.5yo isn’t going to know why he had such a crazy idea.
6) What was his reaction?
He was fine at first, but when I couldn’t get it off, he started panicking and crying. Not conducive to helping him get the condo off his head.
7) What was going through your mind at this point?
That I’d have to use a saw or call a doctor or take him to emergency or something to get it off his head. I was also very glad that my husband was home.
8) You didn’t actually end up having to take him to the hospital. How did you get him unstuck?
I held his head steady and my husband turned the condo every which way he could: back and forth, twisted one way with it pushed forward, twisted another way with it positioned differently. It felt like forever, but probably was only about 5 minutes from start to finish. We were determined to get it off—if his head could get in, then there must be a way to get it out!
9) Have there been any lasting effects from this kitty caper?
Just laughs at his expense. ;) I don’t think he remembers it.
10) What piece of advice would you give to moms who find their children in similarly bizarre disasters?
Stay calm. Try to keep the child calm. Think of every possible way things can be moved so that the child’s body part can be removed without harming him—and without having to head to the emergency room.
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