Tara got a little toy jogging stroller from Christmas. She loves to wheel it around and everytime she gets in a jam, she shrieks ‘I STUCK!’ really loud. It is quite cute before the 500th time you have heard this.
She doesn’t steer that very well.
Tara really enjoys WALKING to pick up her siblings….this means we have to leave about half an hour before school ends to make it there in time..she really does NOT want to be in the stroller. In fact, the only way I can get her ANYWHERE near the stroller is to balance her on the handlebars in a totally precarious position.
This is fine since we walk through wooded trails and not on roads to get the kids. Hence the enjoyment of walking….at toddler pace.
The other day she upped the ante and INSISTED she push her stroller with her blankie and two babies.
She was very happy pushing it along….but has NO control over the thing and so THAT novelty wore of rather quickly and that was the beginning of the end.
Then she didn’t want to push it. Then she wanted to CARRY her babies…and her blankie. THEN she wanted me to carry her.
Needless to say, I was a bit of a sweaty and aching mess when I arrived at the school carrying her, the dolls, the blankie AND the stroller.
But.
You have to give them the chance, do you not. You have to let them try……I know she is young….but I love watching my kids try all those firsts…even through whatever frustration and patience trying these endeavors these may cause…..it is their time….and my back will recover.
This is why I drag myself to yoga every week. I need that time to stretch and be quiet. Because you DO need to let them try. Even when you know you’re going to regret it, just a little.
This is why I put my foot down. “No, I am not carrying you. You have two perfectly good feet so use em!”
My kid is pushing 35lbs. She’s heavy. I refuse to haul her around 😉
Thankfully, their desire to be carried seems to wane the heavier they get. Except when they’re sick. Or tired. Or cranky. Or…