Today’s Low

We left home at 9am and Bella was sick in the car, which I attributed to travel sickness, and then again after arriving at the venue.  It wasn’t until the evening, when chatting to my husband, that I remembered the berry that she’d picked up from somewhere in the garden and placed in her mouth.  It turns out it was a poisonous berry, and that explained it all.  Not a good start to the day.  (She’s fine, thankfully.)

The Highlight

I don’t know if this is Montessori as such, but I try to allow Bella to walk as much as possible when out and about.  These days, if we drive somewhere, she will almost always walk from the car park into the building.  If we’re on foot, then she’ll get to walk as much as she can before going into the sling or pram, and then she’ll walk again when she’s ready.

This does not seem to be the norm with my friends.  They’re either carrying their children from the car to the building (children perfectly capable of walking) or more likely exclusively using a pushchair.  The consensus seems to be that pushing a pushchair and dealing with a toddler is more effort than it’s worth.  I’ll agree, It’s not easy, but it’s totally worth it.

I get a lot of looks from other parents for going slow, and sometimes we get left behind, but I can’t think of a better way for Bella to get the gross motor practice she clearly craves, and also this amazing exposure of the real world.  Stop going to soft play and Tumble Tots and all those organised activities.  Just walk.

(Interestingly, people that don’t have young children love it.  Young children themselves think it’s adorable.  Elderly people in particular love it.  The number of them that stop and coo and wave and encourage her on is fantastic.)

I’m so proud of her slow but steady steps, the way she’s learning when we hold hands and when we don’t need to, her muddy fingers as she explores interesting things on the way.  I love walking with her.  Anytime I want to rush, I ask myself why.  Because really, there’s nothing that urgent going on in our lives.  And if there is, then the onus is on me to plan better and allow extra time so I can protect this time.  Toddler walks are beautiful.