Saturday, April 23, 2011

Digging deep


Boy underground
Delray Beach, FL, January 2011
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It isn't entirely clear to me why children - specifically my children - feel compelled to dig holes in the sand when they go to the beach. They get dirty. Very dirty. And the hholes themselves almost invite adults to learn first-hand how fast 9.8 metres/second squared feels like as they face plant at the bottom.

But saying no to a child at play isn't really part of the plan when we're on vacation. Rules get relaxed. Things they wouldn't be allowed to do back home are, well, allowed. Please don't call Child Services on me.

And so it was on this brilliant afternoon as we wound down our vacation and slowly, reluctantly turned our thoughts toward a much colder home. We knew life and structure and routine awaited us at the other end of the flight. But for now, we were content to just let our kids do their thing.

So they did.

Your turn: When can the rules - of parenthood or of life in general, your call - be relaxed?

3 comments:

Kalei's Best Friend said...

For me, they become a bit relaxed once they show responsibility and that could be for the most slightest responsibility.. I thought it would get easier once they were out of the house and adults.. For the most part but, it never fails that I will get that call for advice- which I would miss... Once u have kids it never does get completely relaxed, you just learn to accomodate what may come..

Chibi Janine said...

The rules of my house:-

1 never hurt anyone, unless it is your absolute last option.

2 never mess around near roads, cars can kill

3 Use caution near water, you can drown in an inch of water

4 A dog is a dog treat it with respect and never leave a child alone with one especially if food is involved

5 Electricity is good as long as its only plugs you put in the plug socket.

Then there is stuff like medicines, cleaning fluids, not going off with out telling mummy where your going the basic be safe stuff.

My neighbors children recently learnt the don't mess about with fire one. Thankfully our fence, garden chairs and paddling pool were the only casualty

Pretty much every thing else is open to negotiation.

theMuddledMarketPlace said...

i am remembering the rainy day...when children's spirits were high.....and their parents energy levels were low

on that day the mattresses were all hauled of the beds, the quilts piled at the bottom of the stairs........and a riot ensued!

that broke all my rules and was fantastic fun
:)