Relaxed Parenting?

The difference between first and third children....

If C was playing outside when he was little we would hover and watch every moment.

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As he got a little older and played with kids down the hill, we would make up chores outside or sit outside and read to be near just in case ..

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If C got a scrape or a cut we would wash it out, clean him up, give a bandaid and lots of hugs. He grew to love the Bactin Bottle and would ask for it right away. I think he loved the cold feel on his skin.

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When M got to the playing outside stage, we would send her out only with us or if C was going too. We'd hover a little further away, have her friends come to our yard, or sit outside and watch.

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If she got a cut or fell down, we'd either have witnessed it or gotten first hand account from big brother. Wearing glasses since she was two, we were always worried she would hurt herself or them while playing.

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We were a little more relaxed but would still santitize, bandage and hug and kiss.

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Poor A gets lot less hovering. She runs with the big kids as if she is one. She goes down the hill and plays on her bike, scotter and swingset and just has a grand time.

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Sure when the weather is nice, I'm outside too, but with two older siblings watching her I am a lot more relaxed. She knows the rules about the street, and stays where we can see and hear her. She never goes alone. I can usually mop the kitchen floor, do a little laundary or picking up while she and M are outside riding bikes. I can sit in the silence and enjoy! I love being outside with them too, but realize that this what it means to be a kid. Playing outside.

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Where A is really getting the short end of the stick is with injuries and booboos. Last fall, she fell at a neighbor's house and cut her knee a little bit. There was blood and tears. I was at the store for 10 minutes and the neighbors and siblings were in control. C the BoyScout, put his First Aid lesson to full use, and got her as good as new in minutes. My neighbor commented that if she has an injury in the future, she's coming to C first for help.

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Today, she was out with M riding her bike and A scrapped her leg a little. With no blood and few tears, M decided to handle this herself and got A a bandage from the first aid kit, put it on and off they went. We didn't even realize the injury had occured.

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Of course a few minutes later A came in and wanted some hugs and kisses from Mom and Dad. While she loved M's help, she needed just a little more that only we could offer. Good to know some things never change.