If the Hillyer house had a color-coded system similar to the Department of Homeland Security, I would have to say our tiny world on Rankin Street is at level orange going into red.

Ever since our baby boy learned to scoot across the floor Mom and Dad have been on high alert.

Anything and everything is worth exploring to our 7-month-old. Gibson throws his hips from side crawling from one end of the house to the other, tugging, twisting and tasting everything in his path. Of course, Mom and Dad are not far behind policing his every move.

I am not sure how he has figured it out, but it seems our tiny one has been able to sniff out all of the things in his knee-high world that are “off limits.”

Gibson will bypass his bongo drums that light up and play a bouncy little tune and maneuver through the obstacle course of blocks to reach a dangling telephone cord or pull down a floor lamp.

In most instances diversionary tactics — a well-placed laugh or other expression — will distract him from these small temptations. If that doesn’t work, picking him up in mid-crawl and pointing him another direction will do the trick.

But when he made a beeline for the small space heater we had been using during the unusually cold weather, Mom and Dad were forced to bring out the big guns.

“No!” Mom said as he moved toward the appliance.

This was not the first time Gibson has heard that word before. But “No” usually isn’t directed at him, instead it’s used often when reprimanding our two cats. He has paid little attention in those instances.

But when he heard the same word coming his direction, Gibson stopped in his tracks turned around and looked up at his mom and pouted.

Obviously our baby has some small inkling as to the meaning of the word. Or maybe there was something in the tone and emotion in my wife’s voice.

Whatever the reason, Gibson knew to stop.

I only hope the next 20 years are just as easy. A little voice in my head says it won’t be.

Lately I feel as if I too have been taking baby crawls in this new world of parenting.

Like most first-time parents, I hover over my son with arms outstretched to catch him when he stumbles. I keep an eye out for sharp edges and tripping hazards as he meanders across the floor.

I realize there will be a moment when I will not be able to provide such a safety net. But I am not looking forward to the time when Gibson experiences the hard reality of gravity. When he does, there might be a few scratches or a bump on the head. There will also be a shoulder to cry on.

As he goes through the world discovering all of life’s dangers, I hope that I will also provide my son with the knowledge of what to do in those situations.

After all, discipline is not just stopping children from doing something or punishing them for unacceptable behavior. Discipline also means teaching them to be responsible for their actions, develop self-control and be able to make better choices.

I am just learning how to accomplish these things as a new father. Until I do, I will keep a firm “No” in my arsenal and the alert level somewhere between orange and red.

Ben Hillyer is the Web editor of The Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3540 or at ben.hillyer@natchezdemocrat.com.