Tug-o-War

As a parent we sometimes feel just a little bit uncertain on how to approach certain situations regarding how your kids are going to react to it. That is perfectly spot on for most of us, to be honest for me I really try to do my best at preparing my kiddos but usually fail miserably. This is because I overthink the situation or I overstep. Allowing our kids to grow and learn is important. Hovering over them and constantly dictating how they should react or just act in a situation can be more harmful than helpful. I say this because I am definitely learning this with my ten year old, he is so ambitious, and very particular about many things. I have had to really take a step back and talk more with him about situations so he can make the better choice instead of me making it for him. For instance, like when he upset with his brother, how should he handle it… should he fight back by hitting or coming and talking to mommy and daddy about it so we can help him? This topic has just been really heavy on my heart because I see so many parents trying to overwhelm their children and themselves because they are holding on and fighting for so much control. Just like tug o war you fight for to much control they are going to resist and fight back. Go with the flow, allow your kids to experience, live, have fun…with boundaries of course, just understand you have to be able to let them be kids.

Talk about a Scare!

Leave it to my two year old Joseph to give me the scare of a lifetime!  Last night at 11:00pm…yeah we were all still awake!  Well Joe Joe decided to take a stroll without mommy.  I was finishing up feeding the baby and I heard Joseph cry!  I quickly hear him calm down when another adult consoles him, so I unlatch the baby and position him on the bed so he won’t fall off!  I slide off the bed and go hunting for him but realize he is nowhere to be found in the dorm!! I quickly panic and frantically search inside, but no sight of him.  Once I realize he isn’t inside the building I race outside with a few more ladies!  He was no where to be found. I see a child from the distance that resembles Joe Joe but realize very quickly that was not my son.  At this point I felt my whole body go numb.  My heart was frantically beating and my stomach was in knots.  It was pitch dark and we were in the middle of nowhere!  Frantically a whole bunch of other camp counsellors jump on in the search.  Well within five minutes of searching he was found!!! He had chased the baby kitten that was on the camp grounds to the other side of the camp!  Talk about a relief and a scare that will imprint on me for the rest of my life.  There is nothing like the feeling of not knowing where your child is!! I am writing this post to raise awareness!  You can turn your back for a second and that’s all it takes!!! I don’t wish that fear, that pain, that feeling upon anyone!

I am sharing this story so other parents are aware of how quickly your child can disappear from your sight.  I am fortunate that nothing happened to him and that he is safe but others are not so fortunate.