Thursday, March 24, 2016

The day I lost sight of Emma

Emma conquered a thrilling 8 meter high 4 level wave solo slide with me at the next slide "lane" last week! 



It's probably my 4th time mentioning it. However, it wasn't the proud mummy moment that struck me most. 

It was the brief moment when I lost sight of Emma. After us going on many rounds at the jungle play gym, successful solo slides and aching back, I decided to let our 2 years & 7 months girl have a go by herself for the very first time. I watched intensely as she climbed up the direct "steps/route" to the slide in the enclosed and heavily padded jungle play gym. To my surprise, she was much more courageous and adventurous than I thought. She plucked her courage, gave a right turn and gone out of my sight. 


Oh no! That wasn't the route we'd practised!


I shouted for Emma loudly as I ran up the steps. The jungle play gym suddenly looked like a maze. I heard her calling "mama" but neither could I see her nor figure out where she is. I quickly handed my bags to a fellow mummy blogger's hubby and went up to search for Emma again. This time, I was even more anxious, calling out loudly for her and expecting some wails.


Then finally, I spotted Emma across a bridge and calling out to me happily. What a great relieve! That's few mins seems forever. We reunited, gave her a tight hug and asked if she is fine. Apparently, she was having too much fun that she didn't even find anything amiss. 

Looks like she's all ready to fly but her Mama, me, isn't exactly ready to let go. What if she get hit by other kids? Am I too protective? She's not even 3! I guess I could wait for a while more? 

Nevertheless, I'm glad that I made the decision to let her venture out of her (our) comfort zone as now I know she is capable of making her way around "obstacles" without having me to stick around in a safe environment. The next day, I let her attend the church children sunday school alone and I finally sit through the sermon after a long time. Both of us had an enjoyable time.

Emma is growing up so fast and she's no longer the helpless and needy baby. She start to show independence and assert their stand. As loving parents, it's hard to let go of our little ones but we need to.

When we, parents, allow our children to do age-appropriate things by themselves, we allow them learn and grow. Holding back and doing things for them doesn't help them in the long run. They need to know that they are capable to be independent and do things for themselves. 

Then again, that doesn't mean we don't parent or take care of them anymore but we just do it in a different way. Before I let Emma go slowly, I really need to figure out how best to let her fly safely and soar high. May the Lord grant us wisdom and continue to watch over her, guide her and protect her.  

16 comments:

  1. Haaha I can't remember but I believe this happened to me before. Consolation is its not a public area but within a play area where u can still find her :) great u left her alone for Sunday school!

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    1. Yes, I would only dare to leave her in enclosed area!

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  2. Glad that you managed to find Emma. Must be a scare. There was once I lost my son at an indoor playground and I had to climb through all the obstacles to find him.

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    1. That's totally what I did. haha, thank you to your hubby for helping me to watch my barang!

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  3. There were times when I lost sight of the children for like 2 seconds and my heart just stopped. It must have been quite a scare for you. Hugs..

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  4. Must have been a scare but at least an indoor gym is an enclosed space! That heart-stopping panic is all too familiar.

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    1. Yes, I wouldn't challenge open space until she is older.

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  5. Totally understand the panic you must have experienced! For mums, babies will always be babies no matter how big they grow. Glad that you found her.

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    1. Yes! It's the sense of protection that we will always have for our child

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  6. I can feel you Ashlyn and how much we want them to be independent and on their own, a part of us always look for them.

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  7. I can relate, dear. Had a similar scare with Yasmin when she was younger and she thought that hiding behind a pillar is a good hide-and-seek game for the mama 😂

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  8. Slowly but surely they are slowing finding their own wings to fly.. don't worry Mama, you're not alone having this bittersweet feeling!

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

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