Sometimes Mother Nature is the best teacher
I have a strict no-coat-forcing policy. And the tattoo? It came in Susan’s pre-school Valentine haul. It’s a frog, and it’ll wash off in a few days. Just like the piercings that’ll heal over in no time.
In honor of President’s Day, my parents held a fire and ice party. We did the snow first, then warmed up in the hottub, with dare-induced runs to the snowman and back. There’s nothing like the sharp tingling of packed snow on bare feet to make you vow to exercise more frequently.
And nothing like a sharp wind from the west to convince a stubborn four-year old that she really does want her coat.
My brother Ryan (far right) carried my poor, boot-less body over the snow so I could take this photo. He is so strong from working concrete all last summer that I felt forty pounds lighter. And he was just accepted to his first-choice college. I can get you his phone number, in other words, though he never has changed a diaper for me. I guess it's true what they say: nobody's perfect.
Jane
Comment of the day (and, ok, she didn’t have much any competition this early in the morning, but it was still good) from Kikibibi:
Your caption for that photo is perfect: ”Sometimes Mother Nature is the best teacher”
Reminds me of a discussion with MIL when kids were toddlers. She was nervous about me letting the kids play in… get ready… SAND. ”What if it gets in their eyes?” My reply? ”I hope it does.”
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Oh Jane, you have me in stitches again! Your caption for that photo is perfect: “Sometimes Mother Nature is the best teacher”
Reminds me of a discussion with MIL when kids were toddlers. She was nervous about me letting the kids play in… get ready…. SAND. “What if it gets in their eyes?” My reply? “I hope it does.”
What a fun idea. We’ve got the no coat thing going on, too. Goose says it’s “like taking a shower with her clothes on”. As I get the I’m-calling-you-in-to-CPS-looks from other moms at preschool.
When my boys were little our pediatrician told me that sweatshirts were what kids put on when their Moms were cold…we went with the “it’s up to you” thing after that. No one died of exposure.
I have the same philosophy about coats. Natural consequences. I can’t tell you how often I’ve said, “Now you know why I told you to .” Although since I moved to CT (the land of the heavily over involved parents) I carry their coat with me into the stores. To avoid the overly concerned advice and dirty looks.
You are making me miss Idaho, just a little. Now that we are in the South, my kids run barefoot all year long. The neighbors seem a little worried. But everyone here is too nice to call us white trash.
I love it! That sounds like so much fun! I was looking for you in the picture but you were behind the camera. darn! And I love our title!
I have the exact same philosophy when it comes to coats and socks. And that picture is priceless!
This post makes me wish we had real winters here in Georgia!
I’m glad I’m not the only crazy mom who *gasp* lets her child decide if he’s cold or hot! I bring the jacket, he lets me know if he’s cold. Ok. What’s so bizarre about that line of thinking?
Love the picture! A bathing suit top, under overalls, with a tattoo, a knitted hat, no coat, in the snow! That sums up childhood right there. The colors are great too!
Makes sense to me! In fact, I LOVE it.
Thanks to you, the concept of natural consequences has takes a whole new direction for me.
heejee
(Seriously, though, wish I could have read this while I still had kids at home…)
P.S. And I wish I could have sent this AFTER I read it over for typos. Lol.