I think we have to be really calm and dismiss these things ourselves and our kids will learn to too, kwim?

If DD falls i say "oopsa" and tell her to get up, if she cries i stand her up and hug her and if she screams i pick her up telling her she's fine and distract her ASAP - as you did. If she's scared i dispel the fear (she's never been scared of something i'd consider scary) and then move on, more or less ignoring her cries and distracting her - i dont ignore HER, i just don't make reference to her upset. I also try not to show fear or pain unless it is unavoidable. For instance when she pulled coffee onto herself i was unable to contain my fear and i freaked a little as i whisked her to the bathroom to wash her scalds and cool them off- this was good actually, she now knows not to touch the hot cups! But i burnt myself recently and i ran it under the tap while chatting to her, so she could see mummy was ok. If i hurt myself in some minor way i try no to make a fuss, i've never hurt myself in a major way near her *knocks on wood*.

I can remember my mum dropping a 6' by 4' oak dining table top directly onto her big toe (on edge). SHe blinked back tears and sad "Rollocks!" very loudly and that was it. That nail came off, the toe was black for months, i KNOW it must have hurt, but she made little fuss about such things and i learned to too.

So i think, lead by example and don't get caught up in their reaction to something unless it is justified...?

Bx