Today we renewed our Zoo Membership at our local Zoo. I brought my younger son with me for some quality one on one time with him. Since it was just us two I decided to leave the stroller in the car and let him walk. Part of me was nervous and thinking about all of the possible situations he could get himself into. The other part of me argued that eventually he was going to be too big to be in the stroller and to take advantage of it being just us two. So off we went without the stroller.
The renewal part was pretty quick since none of the information had changed and we were in the zoo within minutes. I took him by the hand and asked him which way he wanted to go. We started with the sea lions, unfortunately they were not very active but that didn’t matter to him. He took me by the hand and lead me towards the elephants. Then he heard the noise I typically dread… the sound of the little kiddie train. I could see the excitement all over his face!! Typically we do not do the train or carousel rides because they cost extra and since I still have to go on with him I’d have to pay for myself too. However our membership comes with 10 free train or carousel tickets so I took him. He got on and off without a fuss, to say I was proud is an understatement. We then continued around the zoo checking out different animals sometimes spending a long time looking at them and talking about them and others just long enough for a brief hello. He was fascinated by the hyena laying near the viewing window and we spent quite a bit of time just watching him lay in the sun. He asked questions and wanted me to read the signs about the animals.
Today I saw a different child. My typically feisty guy was so mellow. He didn’t throw any tantrums while we were there and when it was time to go he didn’t argue. He stayed near me the whole time, even when I let him wander. He asked me if he could do things like the train or playground area without just running ahead to do what he wanted. I am incredibly proud of this little guy. It makes me think that I possibly do not give him enough credit for what he is really capable of doing. He had a great learning experience and I got to really enjoy my time with him.
I think we need these moments to help redirect our attention. Yes, it would have been much easier to push him around in the stroller. However we would have missed out on a lot of the great conversations we had as well as all the wonderful educational opportunities the zoo offers. By allowing him to be free and explore he was actually choosing to learn and completely engaged! Easier doesn’t always equal better. I feel much more confident in my child today and much more confident as a mom!
