the beginning

We were at the park the other day and Zander found his way to a tire swing. It's been awhile since he's been on a baby swing and he'd never been on a tire swing before. It was pretty amazing to watch as he first needed Nate to be there to push him and show him how to hold on. Then Nate stepped back once he knew that Z knew not to let go. And then we sat and watched as he totally figured out on his own how to move his body to swing himself.

I couldn't help but think that this is parenting. You watch over them and keep them safe, teaching them how to navigate their way through life. You stand close enough to catch them if they fall and you watch as they go through the process of learning and making mistakes. Maybe you catch them as they do fall a few times. Sometimes it's hard to watch. You brush them off and encourage them to try again. Slowly, you start to step away and then the time comes when they can do it all by themselves.

What a feeling it is to watch him accomplish something and to see the pride in his face. A little bittersweet for this sappy mama.

I know. This is just the beginning.