The Fall of (a little) Man

Recently, the weather was pleasant enough and we decided to take a short walk with Sebastien and Eden. Not in a stroller. An actual walk, where they used their own legs to walk themselves down the street. This was the first time we did this, which maybe seems awful, since they've been walking for months. But in our defense, having two 1-year-olds without a sense for what is street and what is sidewalk, for stopping when Mommy or Daddy say so, or for coming when called, it is not something that we have wanted to do one-on-two.

Sebastien was so excited, he tripped over his own little feet, and scraped his forehead on the sidewalk. He whimpered a little as I wiped the gravel out. It was really barely a scratch. But this event turned me into the thing that I have to try very hard not to be... a hovering mother.

I know that he is going to fall sometimes. I know that I cannot prevent every injury. But after this very minor incident I found myself hesitating, second-guessing - Should we not let him do this? Is he not ready? Is he too young, too unsteady on his feet? Maybe I should just pick him up and carry him.

But, no, I say (and Adam gently reminds me), it's Sebastien's job to try to walk on the sidewalk, to discover the sticks and the leaves. He needs to try, he needs to know that the world is a safe place to explore.

So, with some guilt eating away at my stomach for the scrape he is sporting, I put him down. He takes off, and I stay just a little closer than before, just a little more hyper vigilant. But not wanting him to pick up on this, I smile when he looks up at me. I calmly say, "careful Bud" when he takes off too fast. And, we play the zone defense. I take up the rear, while Adam heads up the front so that we are switching kids depending on who is lagging behind (thus providing a balanced experience for both kids.)

Sometimes I have to try very hard to be easy going.

Just outside our house, Eden takes off.

He's going so fast, he's a blur

Sharing the discovery of leaves

Happy to be outside

Note the semi-hover