Some weeks ago, we began letting Micaela walk and run at parks, and other places we go to, on her own. Sometime last week, she suddenly began to really take advantage of that. It is important to us that she learn her own limits this way, by testing and trying, by climbing and falling, by sliding down every direction, by playing with children of all ages - but I have to admit that it is VERY difficult to let it happen.
It takes everything I have not to helicopter around her at all times, ensuring that she never fall.
Then she gets to the exact place she wanted to go and looks so triumphant, so unfathomably proud of herself, so happy and radiant and confident…and I know we made the right choice.
But that doesn’t make it any easier to not-helicopter the second or third or fiftieth time around. I never thought I would feel so protective and nervous about watching my child PLAY, but in watching her walk, trot, run, and explore, I find myself thinking "gee that looks dangerous". Especially when there are older children around since she wants to do everything, and I repeat, everything they do. And goes from one place to the other... and turns around to change directions... and, and, and, and AAAAAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDDDDD!
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