Freedom Fighters

Owen and William are two and a half years old already. Apparently, they're "big boys" now, or so they claim. And apparently big boys no longer need to be in the stroller, no longer need help getting into high chairs, don't need sippy cups, definitely don't need to be lifted into the car and for heaven's sake, mummy, they don't need to hold your hand! Or so they claim.

We're struggling both physically and verbally on a daily basis with the battle of independence vs safety, the latter of which is clearly not foremost in a toddler's mind. I'm trying to allow them the freedom to do certain things on their own, like walking around at the mall rather than riding in the stroller, but I find it difficult not to stress in those situations. We have talks about staying nearby and not running off, but the mall, as well as virtually ever other public place, has so many exciting things for little people to investigate, that its hard for them to stay next to me. Far better to race off to the fountain, or the escalator, or those bright, breakable toys in that very expensive shop over there!

I don't blame the boys at all - who would want to be strapped into a stroller when there's so much to see and do? I just wish I had a doppleganger who could chase after one little monkey, whilst I stop the other one from eating that piece of gum off the floor, or poking his hands into the bird cage at the pet store, or grabbing all the make-up brushes in The Body Shop and rubbing them on his dirty little face. There are definitely days when two active boys seem like way too much work and the restraining capabilities of the stroller are far more attractive.

But we're learning as we go and have had a couple of good trips out and about. I know that the only way for them to learn about boundaries is by testing them and gently being guided back to a safer place. I have to relinquish some control, whilst ensuring that at the end of the day, I won't have to tell Mark that I lost one of the kids because I got distracted in the cookie aisle at the supermarket. Darn cookies.

It definitely helps to have other people with you and it helps to have rules you stick to, even if it means going home early. Note to self - if you make a threat in order to gain obedience, you must follow through with it, unlike last week when you threatened no ice cream unless small boys sat down and then caved because you wanted it yourself. Bad mummy! Bad!

But all in all, I think we're doing alright, taking it one big boy step at a time and learning as we go. Most of the time, we end up having fun too. Now who could ask for more than that?