Photo credit: Waterloo Fords
A tough one. My baby boy is walking in his Frankenstein way (outstretched arms) and I see that he’s approaching the grass. That shift in texture (from cement, to grass) will probably make him fall. Automatically, I run towards him, but stop mid-way and let him keep on. I just say: “Careful, look at the ground.” Surely enough, he paid the same attention as you, that weren’t there, and fell. My wife, overlooking from afar, later asked why did I let him fall. Immediately I remembered Alfred telling Bruce Wayne “Why do we fall?… So we can learn to pick ourselves up!” and recited the exact same words. She gave me the “you are crazy” look. Perhaps.
Funny thing is, my wife allows them to learn by themselves more than me, so I don’t really get the “you are crazy” look yet. But I digress.
Learning the ropes
Part of growing up is learning our own way. We can receive unlimited advise along the way, but ultimately we make our own choices. My son chose to give it a try. I chose to let him learn how to handle himself.
Of course if he were headed to a silent Dog with fire in his eyes, you can bet, I would not have let him learn on his own.
As adults, we love or independence. when someone tells us what to do, we get upset and unforgivable curses start spewing out from our mouths, right? What makes us think that children are any different. Sure, we need to guide and teach them about everything and them some, but we also need to teach them independence.
This of course applies to everything about them. Have you see them play a new table game for the first time? The rule book is obsolete to them. They make their own rules. They want to be in charge. Let them learn, cautiously, on their own. You’ll receive lots of kisses for it!
What do you say, are there times that we should not protect our kids, so they can learn by themselves or should we prevent it?
I guess in a few months I will be in your position and this advice will probably make me act differently than what nature would incline me to do.
Very interesting lesson in life. I guess being a New Dad you want to protect them as much as possible but the learning process is key!
It is not an easy thing to do. Yet it is something we must do, if they’re to learn how to be independent.
I agree my friend great advice thanks for taking the time to share with the newbies!
Sometimes you let them fall becauase you’ve already told them on repeated occasions that this or that will happen if they do the thing. So you let them learn on their own. Afterwards, you talk to them and explain that was the reason you did not want them doing it. The older they are, the easier it is to explain things, of course.
They have to know that the things you tell them to do or not to do are for a reason. These type of situations can help prove your point. Just be sure to carry triple anti-biotic, band aids and lots of kisses!
Maternal instinct will make you want to shield and protect them from the world but at the same time we have to prepare them for the reality of their futures. Quite a balancing act.
Maternal instinct will make you want to shield and protect them from the world but at the same time we have to prepare them for the reality of their futures. Quite a balancing act.
I think I don’t like to see anyone get hurt and when its your kid even better reason to want to protect them!
A very difficult thing to do, but necessary. Thanks for commenting!
Maternal instinct will make you want to shield and protect them from the world but at the same time we have to prepare them for the reality of their futures. Quite a balancing act.