Life's Seasons

There’s been a growing independence movement here in Vermont- more specifically, here at my house. Sonja has a new alarm clock, and it works pretty well when she remembers to set it. She has been known to pack her own lunch- or at least get it started. Laurel gets herself up in the morning, gets dressed (usually in a leotard and ballet skirt or swimsuit or some other outfit that doesn’t really qualify as “real” clothes), and comes downstairs for breakfast.

The most prominent independent activity is Laurel going off to preschool. She has no problem with the separation and thoroughly enjoys her new friends and very friendly teachers. (Note to self: friends are going to be a very big influence in her life.) She enjoys having a job to do there each day, and the exploration table of tactile experiences is often the place she starts her day. She loves being able to do so many things “all by myself”. She’s quite a big girl.

I have also benefitted from this arrangement and new developmental stage. I, too, am learning to do many things by myself. I have rediscovered stores in town that I dared not visit with a three year old. Recently, I took an hour to walk very slowly down each and every aisle in Ben Franklin and noted that they carry many things I never knew about. The best part was that no one asked me to buy them a single piece of penny candy. Today, I took a similar tour of Agway and had plenty of time to think about flower bulbs. Then I came home and planted them- all by myself.

As all good things in life, though, I must enjoy it while I can because very soon I will be thrown back into that extremely dependent stage of caring for a newborn. I’ve experienced nothing more intensely dependent than that time when a baby relies entirely on its parent to care for it and keep it alive. It’s ok, though. Being needed and having the chance to give love has its benefits, as does being left alone to discover oneself and practice being independent... each in its own time.