Why does Park and Rec think it's a good idea to run the sprinkler at the park during prime playing hours...10am??? It was a losing battle from the time we walked down the hill to this park. As soon as Timo caught sight of the water he was trying to get out of the stroller. There was not turning back without a battle I wasn't willing to fight this particular day. I'm not sure why I was so bothered by this or why I began to feel so inadequate as a mother. Maybe because I just didn't think it was a good idea to let your kid run around through the sprinkler in a public park on a slightly chilly day setting a bad example for all the other kids who couldn't play in the water. I was totally one of those parents that other parents were looking at saying "how could she let her kids do that?" or "look at those kids running wild...?" I know, I've been there. I think this is an example when it's difficult to have multiples. I watched as the other mothers would come by with their one baby, scoop them up and easily keep them away from the water or maneuver their single seater stroller around the spray and puddles...distract the child with something else and be able to give them their undivided attention to make up for the utter disappointment the toddler feels for not being able to play in the water.
I'm getting the feeling that having multiples works completely for the baby and completely against the mommy. It's simple math 2:1...They already outnumber me before we even get started. So after about 10mins of beating myself up, trying to ignore the stares of the other mommies, and repeating "it's just water, it will dry" over and over, I had a change of heart. Sure my kids may lack the constant one on one mommy time other singletons get but then a day like the sprinkler in the park day comes along and I know how much fun my kids had playing in the sprinklers when other kids couldn't. I guess we all pick our battles at some point.
2 comments:
You are right on and the judgmental stare people can stuff it. In the long run your kids will be happier and healthier and know that when you set limits it's for a good reason, not just that mommy doesn't want a wet kid in the car.
Stand strong lady! You're on the right path!
Hey - I've only got one kid and I would have let her go in the water. I use the rule that if I would want to do it I should let Emmaline. If I'd been there there would have been 3 little monkies getting wet! But then maybe I'm that leanient mommy that lets their baby do too much. Whatever!
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