Adelaide Child Photographer | Because I Said So …
“Can you please put a jumper on” … “why, it’s not even cold” … “coz you make me feel cold looking at you”.
Does this sound familiar to you? Yes, unfortunately for my kids my responses are usually the result of how I’m feeling. *Hangs head in shame*.
Ok, so I’m not obsessive but I do have to turn away even at the playground just so my kids can have fun, learn & experiment without mum calling out “careful, watch this, watch that” …. uggggh! sounds horrible just typing it.
I had a big wakeup call this week whilst I was home sick. Hubby took our 3 kids to the Royal Adelaide Show with another dad and his daughter. (Brave men … they did an excellent job BTW!!!!). Anyway, back to my story … I was home sick and I get a text from hubby saying our son No2 who is 8 years old is ON (not going on so I can protest … but actually ON) the MEGADROP!!!! Aaaagh! NO WAY! I exclaimed.
The pangs of horror filled my body as I remembered the feeling of that insane ride at the show last year. You get dropped from 45m at a speed of 204km/hr and I’m not exaggerating when I say I felt like I had died and been plunged to the depths of the earth on my way to hell itself. Now don’t get me wrong, I love crazy rides but this was one I vowed I would never do … but unfortunately was forced to accompany my 12yr old and not forfeit the $20 we had just spent when we realised my hubby couldn’t go on with him.
Yes friends, I freaked out! I was home and he was there and there was NOTHING I could do about it. The thought of my poor little baby on that ride really sent my heart into a spin. Would he be ok? Would his little heart & body take it? … and so on and so on.
I anxiously waited for another text to tell me he was ok. But instead of text message I heard a small still voice inside. At that moment I felt a sense of peace and assurance. As I sat and thought about it for what seemed like 10 mins but was all of 3 or so minutes I said to myself “you know what Cindy, get over yourself girl!”. I realised at that moment that when I say “no” or “put a jumper on” or “be careful” that I’m saying it because of ‘me’. My kids are kids and they NEED to be kids and they need to be allowed to do kid things.
Sure they’re gonna fall and get hurt and there’ll be tears … that’s ok (reminder to self). As long as I’m there for them when they fall to cuddle, console and encourage, I know they’ll grow up stronger, more courageous and more confident and more fulfilled.
And YES, he was OK … he LOVED it! He screamed … but he loved it. Next stop was the killer rollercoaster. He had an absolute ball and I learned a very good lesson. How can I begrudge my kids that?
I was reminded again this week to DANCE like NOONE is watching! Have you danced today?
