Lily's 2nd birthday present came early this year. We found a great play set on craigslist (more about how awesome craigslist is later) and Lily is enjoying getting to play on it. This also works great for me, because now I can just walk out in the backyard in my pj's still and watch her entertain herself for a while. No more having to get in the car and drive to some dirty park where other kids swarm.
Let me tell you about my epiphany.
Recently, Lily and I were at a McDonalds for a playgroup. She loves to get into everything and thinks she is about five years older than she is, but she really can run with the best of them. Well, I started to notice one of these "older boys" trying to play with her. They're all grabby and try to get her to go do something. I'm not a big fan of this. It's in a mother's instinct to protect your child, and I realized I have to protect her from these pesky little boys. Of course, in this instant, my strong willed girl fought her own battle and lost the poor boy all on her own, so I didn't even have to get up from my seat. But I started to realize we try to protect them from different things at different times of life.
In the newborn phase, we bring them home from the hospital swaddled up, sheltered from the cold. Our number one priority is to keep germs at bay, warning all those who dare go near to wash up or shove sanitizer into people's hands. We cover their car seats up with blankets to protect from invisible dangers swirling in the air. We keep them inside where it's safe, and evict all those who dare to sneeze within a mile of our child from the home. Yes, we protect from the evil world of germs, and for good reason, a sick baby is a serious matter.
But as they grow, they build up their "immunity". To germs at least. We find ourselves no longer layering onesies with mittens, hats and blankets, or shielding loved ones from coming by to visit. They start to explore their world on their own, crawling and walking around. Now we must protect them from themselves. The practice of being human comes with so many bumps, bruises, falls, etc. We have to now "baby proof" the house, keeping all potential dangers locked away, and every corner padded. We remove dangerous furniture, and plug up every outlet. We install gates, and enough protection on our kitchen cabinets to keep ourselves out.
Then we think as they're walking skills are in full force, it's smooth sailing from here. That is until you see all the pesky little boys trying to mess with your little girl. Now it's time to protect them from everyone else. I guess this is one of the longest phases, since we spend the rest of our lives trying to protect ourselves from others. Not just bad playmates, but mean girls, bad boys, peer pressuring friends and the like.
Our kids enter a scary world, where we're not always there to watch them on the playground. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to the grade school days of bullies and best friends, but I'm sure my little angel will be able to escape unscathed. (If anything, she may end up the bully)!
Lily and her cousin playing princesses in the castle. Dobby was the dragon.
