One of my sweet cousins was in town with her two little girls last week. So, she, her sister and I met up at a park none of us had been to. They live about 45 minutes from us, so I loaded the kids up bright and early to head that way. I had Sophie with me (we all have infants about a month apart) and began to play in my head what I was actually doing. Quickly I envisioned all of us holding our infants and chasing after our 1.5 year olds (we all have those too) while Carter and Peter were left to fend for themselves. Luckily, my mother read my mind and asked if she could keep Sophie. Whew!
We got there, and the park looked like this (this was the mid-sized portion)...
I'm all about letting the kids roam free, but when there are about three 1-2 story drop offs, even I get a little antsy.So, we stuck to the smaller stuff.
I read a post maybe a year ago about letting boys be boys and not too often telling them to "be careful" or "be quieter" or "watch out" etc. The premise of it was to not stomp on their sense of adventure...to let them be boys.
Sometimes I'm better at that than others. I feel like I give them a fair amount of room to be creative and adventurous, but I do find myself telling them to be quieter a lot (probably more for me than them), and when we're at places like these, I think, "Would I rather be a little helicopter momish, or would I mind if they fell from that super high slide and broke an arm?"
I think I lean toward the protective side.
I know I cannot shield them from every fall or suffering. Nor do I want to. Okay, maybe I really do, but I know better.
However, I'd like for them to stay as safe as possible.
This crazy playground reminded me that sometimes life is a little daunting, and I don't always know how to navigate it. Eventually these boys (and now girl, too) of mine will have to break free a bit more and take the risks. Sometimes it will mean sliding down that fire pole with me not looking (or peaking through my fingers as I hold my breath). Other times it will mean me letting the leash out just a little further.
But for now, I think I'll stick with holding them tight for just a bit longer.
Tomorrow I'll be hosting a huge giveaway that you don't want to miss. Don't forget to check back and enter. HINT: It will make you feel like you're sleeping in Heaven :)
Having mostly girls, it's hard for me to switch safety gears when it comes to my only son. I'm getting better though. He and my husband are part of the Troopers of St. George. Through this, our son has been able to play and learn in a more "manly" way where it is only for dads and sons. No moms allowed ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely park day!!!! :) good for you letting them be adventurous!!!
ReplyDeleteoh gosh, I feel ya on every single thing. That's why it's best when Daddy takes them to the park, they get to be a little more adventurous then with me!
ReplyDeleteI tend to be a bit bossy, so I have trouble with kids "doing their own thing." Camp Counselor-dom was never for me. That's why I stick to the office. =)
ReplyDeleteUm...Peter's outfit? I die.
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