On Autonomy and Economy

It was my morning to wake up with the girls today, so we were up, brushed, and down the stairs by 7 am as per usual. We made breakfast -- french toast (the Moo likes hers with extra vanilla in it) -- as per usual, but after breakfast was when things got out of the ordinary. I put on a "little-one" show, which is my tried and true method of keeping them within eye sight while I am otherwise occupied, and set to work cleaning up the kitchen. About 20 minutes into it (I am ashamed to admit that despite the fact the cleaning service came on Tuesday, the kitchen still required a LOT of work) I realized that I had been deserted by my little ones. I went looking for them, and found them both in the computer/craft room. The Moo was playing on Webkinz World and the Bean was drawing pictures of bats, ghosts, and witches.

So why is this strange? I am the type of Mom who has a hard time letting my children out of my sight. I don't feel the need to completely dictate what they are doing at all times, but I like to have a clear line of sight while they are doing it. This is rooted in a rule our pediatrician told us when Molly was about five months old -- Dad has asked the doctor about the relative merits and pitfalls about getting her a walker in addition to her exersaucer. Dr. Segura told us, "Look, nine times out of ten, nothing bad will happen to her with a walker. If you are willing to live with the consequences of whatever happens that tenth time, then go ahead and get her one." (He was a bit more diplomatic than that, but that was the general thrust of what he said). I was unwilling to except responsibility for those consequences, and the "nine out of ten" rule has kind of dominated my approach ever since then.

The girls are getting older though, as illustrated by their behavior at the dentist last week and other examples, such as the fact that my role at birthday parties lately is to let them run off while I sit back and chat with other parents. I am having a hard time accepting their new found autonomy -- or is it mine?? -- as much as I am really excited about it! This morning was kind of a test. I went back to cleaning the kitchen and kept my ears open for the sounds of screaming due to either accidental or sister inflicted injury, but they never came! My only interruptions were when the Bean came in and proudly demanded that her art be hung on the refrigerator (the bat was particularly well done -- if I can ever locate the camera I will take a picture). I'm still very nervous about the whole thing, as I flash back to the Bean's close call with her dresser every time I hear a thump or a cry, but I definitely think I can used to this! Maybe I will even be able to take up a hobby, if I could only figure out what I like doing . . .

I used some of my new found autonomy to read the Sunday paper. The Post has a supplemental series on Thursdays and Sundays on Loudoun county, filled with local news from reporters and local bloggers. I read some very sad news about the local economy here. It is very depressing to see businesses that we have patronized since we moved into the area fail - it feels like something horrible happening to a close friend of the family, even though we don't know any of the business owners personally. The little Morning Glory store sold stationary and gifts imported from Asia, and will be particularly missed by the Moo and Bean, who loved the little anime inspired characters.

On a more positive note, we are very happy to have Dad back from Hawaii, although he appears to have been stricken by jetlag because it is past 10 am and he still is not up. Time to sic the Moo and Bean on him!!