I have been bringing Allysa out for walks around the little park behind my mum's or the playground there. Besides enjoying exploring the park, Allysa loves going on her cat or dog hunt. On a lucky evening, we might see two.
So this evening after dinner, I decided since the sky was still bright that we should go play at the playground. When we reached, I saw a grandpa carrying his grandson there. The little boy was trying to climb up the slide. The grandpa was trying to help the child up but decided to carry him back to his arms awhile later. So he saw Ally climbed up the stairs n walking around the structure alone. I kept close but did not go up with her. There were gaps where there is a possibility that should she decide to walk right out, she will fall all the way down. The old man was really concern and urged me to go up many times. I told him that Allysa is fine and I am still keeping close but not THAT close.
As usual, Allysa moved up and down steps confidently, slid down on her own. I just waited at the bottom of the slide as she slid into my arms. She loved this and this is how we play.
I saw the boy looking at us and very much wanting to slide too. But all that Grandpa did was to hold him close n tightly in his arms. I feel sorry for him in some way.
Seriously, what fun is playground time if the child isn't allowed to roam and explore freely? And to allow the child to challenge himself and do the impossibles? Shouldn't we allow the child to try n should they fail or fall, they learnt to find another better way to solve the problem? And don't they realise such overprotection will prepare the child for failure in the future?
Playground is a seemily fun place but in the grandpa's perception, it lurks of dangers everywhere. I think it's more dangerous when we do not like kids face & deal with "dangers" themselves. They need to learn to be instinctive and figure out how to keep safe themselves.
I am confident that Allysa knows what she can or can't do at this moment. She knows her capabilities but is also willing to try new activities when she is ready. Of course when she does, I will be around to guide and offer her the support she needs.
And when she is tired from her adventures? She can always count on me to carry her home.
