The Slice of Life is
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Join in and share a slice of your life.
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This Mother's Day I received two special gifts.
One. The BIG gift of time. My husband took our now five year old daughters for a couple hours in the afternoon so that I could have some time for me. In a moment like that, it's quite sad to say that I almost didn't know what to do with myself!
My initial thought was to open up my school bag that I drag home every day but rarely touch. But I didn't. Then I thought I should just start a load of laundry, do the dishes and clean off the counter. Nope, I walked away.
I found myself on the couch. I learned more about the BIG planning it takes when visiting Disney. I studied the Unofficial Guide: Walt Disney Word with Kids 2015. Tabbing pages and making notes. I scoured my Disney Pinterest board for tips and hints and suggestions to make that planning easier. I found out my husband has been doing a lot of planning for this trip and I was just touching the surface of it all!
But the quiet of the house reminded me something was missing.
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Two. The girls came in all excited from their excursion with Daddy. Non-stop talking about all the happenings, but only to find out that we were all putting our shoes on for the next BIG adventure.
Bike riding. I'm talking BIG kid bike riding. As in, Daddy was taking off the training wheels and we are doing this bike riding for real.
This was BIG. The girls were all smiles with excitement, but I could tell there was a little fear. I forced a little smile knowing I was full of fear. Daddy and I each walked quickly holding on so they could feel the balancing of the bike. We rode down the sidewalk to the open running track at the end of the street. Plenty of space on the track and lots of grass.
It was at this moment, seeing the open track and room to spread our wings, that I thought THIS has to be one of the hardest jobs as a parent. Teaching a child to ride a bike.
Slowly, side-by-side, jogging, keep pedaling, balancing, letting go, back-and-forth, stopping.
And then starting the process all over again. Girls yelling, "Let go!" "Aaaggghh!" "Help me!"
Then it hit me: Teaching a child to ride a bike is a metaphor for life. I was there next to her, letting go, but grabbing too quickly out of fear. Letting go again, waiting, wondering, will she take off? Or crash and burn? All scenarios in real life. All bumps in the road. All with possible endings.
But it's about building independence. Teaching our children about the freedom to make choices and learning about consequences in life. Then learning what to do next -- whether she soars or falls.
All the while knowing, Mommy and Daddy will always be there ...
Life is like riding a bike. And my two five year old girls are learning! A BIG day at our house!
Two unexpected gifts on Mother's Day!
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| Image found on Pinterest |
What a great metaphor! Some big truth here, I think!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. Someone once told me that watching our children is a roller coaster ride but there's only room for one rider per car. Sometimes I hate that truth, sometimes I'm proud of it.
ReplyDeleteLetting go is the hardest of all. Not wanting them to fall or fail, but allowing them to fall and fail. Not easy for a parent, but we'll always be there to catch them and help them through the good and bad times of growing up. Glad to hear that you got some "me" time on your special day. Love ya, Mom
ReplyDeleteSo true Michelle! But it's about building independence. Teaching our children about the freedom to make choices and learning about consequences in life. I love this!!!!! This is exactly what we want to do..allowing them to face the challenges of life and being able to handle what life throws their way! Awesome slice! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI have a school bag just like yours!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes- what a perfect comparison. That is a big day- for your girls and you.
Glad you got a little bit of quiet time.
It is funny that sometimes when you have free time you don't know what to do with it! Loved your bike-riding metaphor. While you're watching your daughters ride big bikes for the first time, I'm planning college graduation and a wedding for one of mine! You're right - it's much like sending her off on that bike for the first time (which I remember like it was yesterday) - full of excitement and a little fear!
ReplyDeleteSo true - loved the way you wrote of this learning journey, Michelle, and glad that it was such a lovely one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Einstein quote. He was brilliant in many different ways. I always felt that the best time for children to fall or to learn from the fall was when they were young enough for their parents to be there to pick them back up and brush them off and set them on their way again. I think your post illustrates that truth beautifully.
ReplyDelete"Life is like riding a bike"....and all children learn and parents take it differently. You received wonderful gifts.
ReplyDeleteLove this slice! Now having two teenagers you quote and small moment is one I need to remember. The stakes are higher but the process is the same. It is amazing that we do grow with our kids in our parenting. Sounds like a great mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteClare
Whoa! They're growing up before your eyes. Next thing you know, we'll be reading slices about parallel parking. (Well, not that soon, but you know what I mean.) What a milestone! Loved your analogy too!
ReplyDeleteThe slice came together so beautifully! What an awesome day at your house!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed your first gift of time. It's funny, on the rare occasion I get some time like that, I'm often frozen in indecision for the first portion!
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on teaching Maddie to bike ride this summer. I know I'll be afraid to let go, too. I'll think of this post. Thanks.
What a special day for you! Time is precious and we think there are so many things we should do, it's hard to remember what we did with our time before kids. Those bikes will be bringing you hours of fun. Perfect analogy to life.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true....what a great analogy for life. We hold on for a little while and then watch as they totter until finally....they get it...and then we continue to worry they might fall....
ReplyDeleteWhat gifts!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a big moment for the girls!