I paused. There, on the mat with all the toys were three other little girls, a boy my daughter’s age, and my little Lovebug.
Poised and ready, I stood alert.
I was shaken back to the moment by my inner voice, or maybe it was the gym activity director? “They’re okay!” I heard.
“Don’t hover,” I thought to myself.
Never was I thinking of her protection. I knew, here, she was safe and I was steps away. I was more concerned that vying for a toy might pose a problem and, that she wouldn’t know how to play “nice” with the other children. A word I often remind her of whenever she’s toddling with excited screeches toward the cat, or reaching with crab-like fingers at the dog.
Reminding her to be gentle might be more for my benefit as she’s always very kind, but without a reminder? I don’t really know. I don’t think she’d intentionally hurt anything, but she’s 11 months, and curious. Oh so curious!
I know I have to let her go. That’s not the problem. I’m not one of those hovering parents for fear something might happen to my precious little bundle, really. I know she has to fall, get back up, and start again. My fears center around the fact that she might not play so “nice” with someone else’s child. Maybe I’m just a little concerned with embarrassment. You know, the whispers given about the mom who can’t control her bulldozing child. Not that she is, at least not that we know, yet.
Sure, we’ve been to play dates before, but I’d say there was a lot more gab happening and coffee being guzzled than there was playing from our young infants. From about a month old there’s always been more gazing at each other from the strollers, from across the table while snuggling in a wrap, or sideways glances from companion swings on the playground.
She’s our first. The first grandchild for both my mom and my husband’s parents. She’s also the first great-grandchild for my husbands grandparents, so there’s not a lot of opportunity to be immersed in socialization with other infants.
I’m glad to report that she did just fine and mostly these babies – all under a year – were a little introverted; exploring on their own.
Lovebug’s first gym class was hit. Now on to the next worry!
Haven Street Style Studio 