When the kids were really young they did crazy things in the backyard of our house in town. Apparently, it was more fun to be crazy in a town where everyone could see them. When we moved to a smaller town, they weren’t as crazy anymore. In our old town, they filled tiny pools with water and jumped in in their underwear. My daughter ran around in her diaper almost all the time, even on the very busy street in front of the house, which sort of drove my husband nuts because he felt it made us look like we weren’t taking care of our children.
Looking back, I totally see his point but he and I both also recognized that children should be allowed to be children. I look back at those messy, crazy, full-speed days and I miss them like I thought I would.
I miss the freedom of them. I miss the unstoppable energy, the unbridled joy, the unrestrained exploring, and the intense curiosity.
Recently, on our third re-read of the Little House books, I had to roll my eyes once again at Ma (Caroline Ingalls) reminding Laura and Mary that children are to be seen and not heard.
I have always hated that saying. I want my children to be seen, to be heard, to be held, to laugh and have fun and make messes and learn from it all.
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I am with you on missing the younger years of my own children…I think what it comes down to is that as they get older that sweet innocence begins to fade..as they grow I pray their faith remains strong and they appreciate mercy and grace from the Lord.
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I have the same prayer, Alicia. I can totally relate to that. It’s scary for me but ultimiately it is out of our control and that’s hard for me to accept.
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Yup exactly!!! I completely get it
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And allowed to be children! So important.
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I agree with you…I have always hated that saying…probably because I heard it so much when I was a kid! Mine were little heathens…I remember a good friend stopping in one day…my youngest was out in the front yard peeing! We were potty training, and it wasn’t working. So, I told him to just pee outside! I didn’t think he’d do it in the front yard! But, you know what? It worked…he was potty trained shortly after that.
I miss those days, too. I’m of the age where my grands have now aged out of that stage, too. It’s sad we lose that joie de vivre, isn’t it? But, I think we regain it when we get older because the cares of young and mid adulthood are less if not gone.
Thanks for a wonderful read!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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