OUCH!!

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That's what a 7 1/2 month-old has to say about her mom accidentally cutting her little finger. Any minute now the motherhood police are going to show up and confiscate my badge.

Is there an 'underground' for basically good parents who inflict pain on their little ones unintentionally?

I'm actually not sure who it hurt most: Brianna, whose finger it was; me, who made the stupid mistake and caused the pain; or Ben, who, I think, felt the pain as intensely as his sister.

When it happened, I'm not sure what I yelled, but Ben came at once to see what was wrong. Brianna was, of course, screaming and bleeding. I explained to Ben how I accidentally cut her. He began taking quick steps, on his tip-toes, in place, while bent slightly at his waist. He was so anxious about his sister and the pain she was feeling. He finally said, "I'll get a band-aid!" I said that was a good idea.

In the meantime, I applied direct pressure. He soon returned-- in that same quick tip-toe step, and still slightly bent, as if he felt her pain right in his gut. He came with one band-aid and five different medicines for me to choose from. As he approached me he said, "I think she'll need some surgery too, mom."

As I applied the medicine and the band-aid, Brianna was still screaming. Ben was pacing and rubbing both hands through his hair. He finally said, "I'm getting out of here!" He went down-stairs, got his coat and shoes on, and went out on the front porch. It is dark and about 3 degrees outside with the wind-chill. I begged and begged him to come back inside. Finally, I had to make him come back in. He did so, after Brianna's crying subsided.

After Ben was in bed, asleep, I discovered that he had thrown the scissors that had cut her finger into our kitchen garbage. I didn't pull them out.

If you'll excuse me now, I think I need to go put some medicine and a band-aid on my heart.