Do you sit on the sidelines with a younger child while your older children play?
We woke up to alot of snow today. It was a great day to go sledding! I’ve been hesitant in the past because I have a 2 year old that doesn’t want to go. She doesn’t even like to stand in the snow. I knew I would be holding her the whole time.
My Plan – the older 2 kids would go sledding, while I sat in the car with the youngest. Not my favorite thing to do since I don’t want to be the mom who sits on the sidelines. I’m also afraid of what other people will think. You know, the “I can’t believe that mom is letting her kids sled by themselves while she sits in the car” type of thought.
I stayed with “My Plan” for a few minutes, but then decided to get out and watch my older 2 – to actually participate in their life. As I stood on the hill watching my kids sled, a few thoughts crossed my mind. I could spend forever “waiting” to participate in their lives when there is a younger child. I stand by the sidelines with whoever is younger at the time and watch life go on.
What if my life changes and I eventually have to go back to work? I won’t be able to take my kids sledding during the week. Since I don’t know what my future will bring, this could be the last winter that I can be with my kids sledding. They aren’t home with me on the weekends.
I ended up putting my youngest down to stand in the snow while I went sledding down the hill a few times. It was so much fun! The oldest kids thought it was great that mom was participating too. I only sled a few times down the hill because quite frankly, the walk up is brutal. Also, after a few runs, the youngest had had enough of the cold and wanted to go back to the car.
It is definitely a dancing act, balancing all of my kid’s needs. It was worth putting her down just for a few moments to play with my older kids. Thankfully, she was compliant for a little bit.
