Independence
July 27th, 2007 | 
Author: We are always told that one day we will have to let our children go - but when must that be. When they marry and have children? When they spend their first night out with friends? When they start school? . Part of me feels its each of those things and each day is bringing me closer to the day she is no longer truly mine , will they really be a time she no longer breastfeeds and falls asleep in my arms? Will i wake up a morning without her sweet face beside me ?
I have been really trying to let Rebecca have her Independence , for months now we stayed behind her when out at parks or play areas watching her every move. Now we try to let her go and do her own thing, i check on her constantly and worry every second she is not in my sight but i know she is just having fun . To see her smile and pride as she reaches the highest height is just amazing. In just over 3 weeks she will take a major step towards true Independence with her first day at Playgroup . Its two afternoons a week from 12.30 to 2.45 , i have not worked since she was born and she has never been in nursery - we have spent little time apart and the thought of leaving her is killing me. I know it will be great for her, she can be so shy and quiet and i imagine being around other children her own age will be just what she needs. It will also give me and Eilidh some one on one time a few times a week which is the one thing im really looking forward to as we rarely get it. The playgroup is a 2 minutes walk from my house and there so parent friendly and do anything they can to help the child adapt - parents are required to do “duty” every few weeks which actually sounds kinda fun.
Today she also took another big step towards another kind of Independence - that without nappies. We have been letting her sit and get use to the potty and toilet and while she seems to like the idea we were having no luck (apart for occasionally catching something) , this morning not *once* but *twice* did she go poo-poo on the potty. I think she may not have control over her bladder yet as she seems to get upset when she goes and always cries after it (when not going in her nappy) but the fact she is pooing in the potty shows she understands what she is meant to be doing.
This time next year we will be getting ready for her starting nursery , its so bittersweet.
Posted in Uncategorized
July 28th, 2007 3:18 am
Michele sent me over to tell you not to worry too much about her. In the present times we overtly protect our children. We had far more independence than them.
Kids learn fast and adapt easily enough.
July 28th, 2007 4:21 pm
Ahh, Laura, I can so relate to this! I started tearing up reading it, as we are going through the same thing with Nadia right now. Our babies are growing up! And mostly that makes me excited and happy…but I’m not ready to say goodbye to my sweet, cuddly baby girl yet! I’m not ready to start thinking about “big girl” worries soon! But, life keeps going on whether we’re ready for it or not. I just started letting Nadia climb around by herself at the park, too. It feels strange, doesn’t it, to be a spectator?
July 28th, 2007 4:22 pm
P.S. You figured out how to personalize your blog! I love it!
July 29th, 2007 4:02 am
Parents will always be connected to their children by some means.
July 30th, 2007 2:35 pm
Aww, Rebecca is growing up. I how she does well in playgroup! Good luck on the potty training.