Yesterday, me and Sophie had the chance to go outside and play in the sunshine. I felt a little bad because I put tights on her when it was pretty warm, but only in case she fell I didn't want her to scuff her knees. Maybe it's because she is my first. I feel this obligation to keep her safe and to look out for her. To prevent anything bad from happening.So many people think I should loosen up a little and let her be a kid. I am getting better at that, it just crushes me to see her cry. This last few days she has learned to climb... Oh Brother!! I ran out and bought gates to prevent accident in unsafe rooms. ha ha, I am such a worrier.
Any advice on how to loosen up? I am sure Sophie would like a little more freedom, and I could use the advice on how to be... not so crazy over protective mommy like?
My advice to you is to remember that you had skinned kness and that what you learned from those experiences taught you not to do things that might hurt you. Being a mom means letting go a little at a time. Be watchful and give warnings when you see danger but you have to let them start making choices for themselves. We all know the children of overprotective parents who went off to college and they couldn't handle all the freedom. Also the parents who at 18 said that their kids were "free " to do what they want since they were an "adult" now. My youngest (the twin boys) are seben now and I tell them the consequences if they don't follow my advice. Sometimes they listen sometimes they don't but the they are leaning that actions have consequences. Hard job being a mommy isn't it? Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteOf course I meant knees, seven and learning! I should really read what I write before I post! Hee Hee!
ReplyDeleteYou're still here. You survived childhood. And i'm sure you had plenty of bumps and bruses. And we had toys that are now considered "choking hazards" (Little People for example...the skinny ones we had are now considered choking hazards...huh?). That helps me a lot, to know I went through the same things and i'm still here. And you have to let them explore to learn. It's the same as it is for us adults, we don't learn unless we make the mistake ourself. The only way to losen up and is to tell yourself to back off a little. In most situations, what's the worst that can happen? She maybe gets a little "boo boo" but she will recover after a hug from mom. :) Don't forget, you're doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteMy brother and his wife have a 1 1/2 year old and she's quite the mover! She does fall every now and then, but instead of her crying they've made a game of it, so whenever she falls they have taught her to say "touchdown!" and she puts her hands up. They taught her this by saying it themselves when she falls and laughing instead of rushing over and making her feel like it was a big deal. This might help you with her falling every now and then. Turn it into a game and it will take a bit of stress off the both of you.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a worry wart and is always saying dont let her do that shes gonna get hurt.. Well of course I dont let her do anything that she would get a head injury or some thing major like that. But Shes a climber and I let her do what she may as a child....With some limits :) And I find that I dont put a lot of focus on when she does get hurt! I always say lets kiss it and look its all better now she hardly cries when she falls she ask me to kiss it and goes back to playing. Maybe its because I had a boy first that I dont freak out when she falls.....Terri I think you should keep doing what makes you feel comfortable She will be ok, you will be ok, and next time around you will be more relaxed I promise..:)
ReplyDeleteFirst may I say your daughter is as cute as a bug in a rug!! I have 3 girls, they all dressed like your daughter. I do not have have any advice on how to not be overprotective, I watched them like a hawk, if you are happy and she is happy, no worries. I have two older daughters 28 and 25, then God blessed us with another baby girl when I was forty. She is now 13. She was my little buddy, never left my side, I remember the older girls saying, Mom, if she spends every minute with you, she will have a hard time going to school. really, she kissed me and skipped right into that pre-school, because she was secure enough to know I would be there. If you want to be with her do it, the time flies right by, and you want to enjoy her, they can never have to much love!!! You are doing a wonderful job, do what feels right to you and her!
ReplyDeleteTerri,
ReplyDeleteI was the same way. I think every Mom with their first is always that way. Then when a second child comes along it relaxes you natural. You kind of don't have time to do it. You hands get full with 2. Now that I have 3, I find that I have really just calmed down about somethings. My 2nd oldest is a Boy and frankily, he kinda knocked it out of me. He was always climbing on everything and jumping off everything. At first I thought I was going to have a heart attack, but now I just check for blood and brusing and dust him off and send him on his way. I think as Mom's we grow and evolve as our familys need us to. I think if your child is happy and they know they are Loved then how can you go wrong!
I hope that was helpful anyway.
Jennifer