There’s a swing set just next to the void deck of my house, the old-fashioned sort with a wooden plank and metal chains. Tru has been walking past it for over a year without knowing what it was so he never bugged us to let him have a go at the swings. Then recently, he saw some kids having the time of their lives on the swing and he was like the guy who discovered fire while playing with some rocks in a total “OMG THAT’S WHAT IT’S FOR?!!” kind of way.
Understandably, we’ve been spending a bit of time there since.
The first time he tried, I could see his irrational-fear mechanism kicking in. He gripped the chains till his knuckles turned white and he was trying real hard not to chicken out like a little baby. He was all “Think of the other kids they had so much fun but I’m going to fall off and die alright, BREATHE just breathe and hold tight, I’m not going to be a baby I CAN DO THIS COME ON!!”
I was ready to carry him off and tell him it was ok, we could try it when he was a little older but he finally decided to man up and bite the bullet. So I watched on like a proud momma as he took his first ride on the swing.
Ok I’ll admit that I was actually more worried than he was because I once saw my friend fly off the swing as his hand slipped while trying to perform a stunt of the kids-don’t-try-this-at-home variety. He had a scab the size of Africa for a couple of weeks and I had to block out the image from my head for a lot longer than that. Granted, his little stunt did achieve legendary status on the playground back then but I’m pretty sure his mom wasn’t pleased about it at all.
We gave him a little push and off he went. A minute in, he stopped being afraid and started having fun. Which was right about the time he started giggling and yelling for us to push him harder so he could fly higher.
In between giggles and victory whoops, he looked at me like “look mom, I DID IT I’m a big boy now” and I cheered like he just won the Gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games. Every time I see him conquer a fear, I feel like he’s grown up a little bit more and I know I’m supposed to be happy for him and all but sometimes I feel like my baby is slipping away and I secretly wish he’ll stay my baby forever. Also, I’m just not prepared to have him come home with a large bruise and a broken arm after attempting a death-defying stunt at the playground.
3 Comments
The dilemma of a mother.
Part of us want them to be brave and independent yet we wish we can protect them forever.
It’s rare to find this kind of old swing, all the newer HDB playgrounds doesn’t come with swings. How I wish they will bring it back.
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Its okay, its normal for parents to feel that way… However, always remember to celebrate their mastery. That way, Tru will have a memorable and happy childhood. =)
Well done, Tru! And you, too, Daphne! I haven’t gathered enough courage to let Matt go at it on his own. So far, he has sat on me as we both swing along, with me praying that our combined weight doesn’t bring the swing crumbling down! LOL!
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