Sometimes our children are our teachers. They open our minds to new ideas and perspectives that we never considered before. These experiences are inspiring and life-affirming, and they are among my best parenting moments. However, sometimes our children are not our teachers. Frankly, they lack anything resembling good judgment a lot of the time, which is why we don’t leave preschoolers to roam the world unsupervised. They will, if given half the chance, spend all day watching TV and eating marshmallows. And then they will be cranky and we will have to pick up the pieces.
While the transcendent moments make parenting worthwhile, the not-so-transcendent moments are probably a little more common. It depends a little bit on the day or my mood or the phase of the moon, but whatever it is I could never claim with a straight face that child-rearing is all glitz and glamour. There is, sometimes, rather a lot of glitter, but that’s only because that stuff just sticks to everything, not because my life is so sparkly and rainbow-y.
Jon and Hannah set out in search of a small climbing tree
The other day almost-5-year-old Hannah decided to go for a walk to a small tree. She described this small tree by saying that it was not at a park, but rather beside a small house, like a playhouse. She can see it on the drive to school, but Jon and I have overlooked it. She feels this tree is just the perfect size for her to climb, and wants to give it a go. She will lead us right to it, if we only follow her.
Jacob, along for the ride on the tree search
Our family of four loaded up and followed Hannah, because a walk sounded like a good idea. A particular destination is sometimes less important than getting everyone out of the house for a while. Out of curiousity, we did try to get more detailed information as to this tree’s exact whereabouts. Was it near our house? Yes. Was it near her school? Yes. Was it past the Starbucks? Yes – and hey could we stop in for a drink on the way?
Sharing a hug while we wait at a stoplight
Hannah’s school is approximately 3km from our house, which is rather far for a kid her age to walk, especially round trip. We knew that the mystery tree could lie anywhere along this 3km route, and that we weren’t going to make it the whole 3km if it came to that. Hannah was dogged and determined, though. She declined to stop at the playground, or slow down. She insisted that we follow her directions exactly, and that we keep on moving at all costs.
The corner that served as our final destination
Eventually, we reached a corner just over 1km from our house. We asked Hannah to look down the road and tell us if she could see the tree, and she said no. We realized that we had to turn around. I’m glad we aborted when we did, because by the time we got home Hannah was tired, and her feet hurt, and she just didn’t want to walk anymore. We came inside and I pulled up Google Street View, to see if we could find the tree. She pointed it out, on the corner in front of her school. The play house is a small gazebo attached to a condo development. I was even more glad we didn’t continue in search of the tree, seeing that.
We sort of had a good time, on our walk to nowhere, all the same. It was fun to see how dedicated and single-minded Hannah can be. It was good to get out and breathe some fresh air. It was also good to be reminded that, at the end of the day, I still have better judgment than my kid, and I am far better at judging walking distance. She’ll learn these things in time, but for now I will continue to pilot this ship.
Very cute, Amber. Took me back to so many of the wonderfully bad ideas I had when I was a child.
.-= Sarah´s last post ..Santa Baby =-.
What a great story. And pertinent to something I’m deciding if I should write a post on or email you privately about (it’s not about you, but I thought you might have some insights). Please hug your Intrepid Explorer daughter for me (without telling her it’s from me, because she doesn’t know me, so it would be a little creepy).
.-= Allison McCaskill´s last post ..*************A vicious campaign of abuse and neglect. =-.
Although you didn’t make it to the tree, I love getting a glimpse at how much independent thought a child her age has. It’s interesting to read tales of your daughter because she’s just that much ahead of my son and I get to see what may lay ahead in the near future…beyond the spazzy temper tantrums.
.-= Marilyn´s last post ..If He Says ‘Redrum’ I’m in Trouble =-.
I think it’s adorable that the 4 of your went out on a tree hunt. Knowing you may not find it, you let Hannah explore. I’m curious though, did she put up a fight when you decided to turn around?
.-= Sara´s last post ..Sunny days, sweeping the… clouds away… =-.
I love that you gave her a chance to lead you on the walk, even if the final destination was reached – I think you rock as a Mommy for listening to your daughter.
P.S. I am pretty sure we live very close to eachother
.-= Tara´s last post ..TaraCain: Olympic Houses & Pavilions via @News1130radio http://tinyurl.com/yc8fspx – anyone planning on visiting one? =-.
Good reminder that we do need to pilot the ship! Ay Ay Captain! Very sweet story though and H got a good tiring workout.
Oh this was a lovely post. I love how you gave her the chance to lead and how she took you on a walk to nowhere and you all got to enjoy some time with the family. I’m looking forward to those days when my daughter comes up with those types of ideas.
The only place she takes me right now is to her room and forces me to play blocks or read a book to her. HA. I want to exercise but she says not yet!
.-= Cheryl´s last post ..Crafty Lady =-.
It’s so fun to set on a family adventure. I’m glad you made the right call on the distance though.
When Q-ster was smaller, he was really fond of this cactus that was a few blocks from our house. It was sort of round and cute, toddler sized. And he always wanted to hug it, which was an exciting exercise for me to stop. “Say hi, but don’t hug!”
.-= Lady M´s last post ..Another Holiday Gone Awry =-.
our “adventures” would involve walking up some sort of steep hill so they don’t happen too often.
That was a lovely shot of the intersection at the base of my street though
.-= Carrie´s last post ..Kid Swap Meet time! =-.
I love that you all went out looking for the tree. I think I need to do more “child directed” outings just for adventure’s sake. (But I am worried that we would end up at Dairyqueen too much).
.-= *pol´s last post ..It doesn’t hurt to ask. =-.
So sweet. I love how our children show us how to just go with the flow. I remember doing something like this with Annabelle during our 30 days, before Levi was born. It makes me stop my mind from running the show . . . and I really feel my spirit, myself, experiencing everything around me . . . because of the gift my daughter is giving me.
It’s been a few days since I stopped by. I can’t wait to read the breastfeeding father post,
.-= Jessica´s last post ..2: Days of Winter Beauty =-.
I’m with you on this. I also pilot this ship, the real trick is to keep it afloat and pointing to the right direction while training future pilots to take charge.
.-= Francesca´s last post ..For my crochet hooks =-.
Very funny. Once kids get something in their head, they’re usually determined to make it happen. They just don’t often see the reality behind the dream yet… but this is their time to dream before the realities of life do set in
.-= Chrystal @ Happy Mothering´s last post ..Potty Training is Back On! =-.
you are seriously my new hero! I'm moved by EVERYTHING you say, thank you!
I remember these kinds of walks with my mom and dad when I was around 5. We used to go for walks in the woods together and down our very rural gravel road where there weren’t any houses for 1/2 km at a time. It’s one of the few memories I have of them together before their divorce a year or so later.
“There is, sometimes, rather a lot of glitter, but that’s only because that stuff just sticks to everything, not because my life is so sparkly and rainbow-y.”
Awesome.
great post, as always, Amber!
I for one really enjoyed the walk to nowhere. I was surprised how long Jacob was happy to sit in the stroller and watch the world go by.
Let’s do it again soon!