The house is blissfully quiet, at least on the inside. Outside are the loud noises of children at play. They have started to play complex role playing games with chasing and hiding and riding on plasma cars or bikes. There is always a lot of excitement.
I used to monitor this play closely. I used watch intently to be sure that they were good to each other, that their words and actions were never hurtful.
But now? Now, I just let them play. Mostly. I let them make their own rules and figure out what is fair amoung them. Sometimes I have to remind the older children that the younger children still have a different perspective and that they need to tread carefully. But mostly I just let them go and most of the time I am just pleased at the results of that letting go. I stay close to be sure that they are safe but I interfere as little as possible.
Today I am recognizing that letting go, that fostering of independence and I am ever grateful that there is time, that this process can happen slowly so that when they are ready to go and stay gone I will know that they are really ready. Today I am recognizing their unique and separate persons because I am amazed by them, in awe of their beauty and strength and character.
And today I am grateful that my common virus, the cold, will not slow them down even as it slows me down.
1 comment:
Sometimes the best thing that you can do is to let them work out their issues on their own- good for you. I hope that you feel better :)
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