When to let go

Yesterday I met some of my mom friends at a community center for their "Indoor Play Park".   We didn't know what this was before going, but once we got there we realized it is heaven for any toddler!  Basically in was their gym filled with wagons, cars, tricycles, balls, and anything else that a toddler could pull, push, spin, throw, or kick.  You could see Charlotte's grin from across the gym.  There were others squealing and laughing all around and lots of moms and dads drinking Starbucks while helping their child on or off the cars of their choice, myself included.

After we were there for a bit Charlotte discovered they had a slide, much like this one. Which, by the way, just might have to make it's way to our backyard next summer!

It was bigger than any of the other plastic variety slides we had tried, but Charlotte wasn't going to let that stop her.  I was wearing J.J. in a baby carrier and he was asleep, so my ability to bend over and pick up Charlotte was limited.  First she tried climbing up the bottom, which I veto'd pretty quickly since other kids were eager to come down the slide. Thankfully, J.J. stayed asleep during that quick lesson of Slide Using 101, which got kind of loud from my "student", if you know what I mean.  I walked her around to the ladder, where about 3 other kids were waiting their turn.  She tried to cut the line, of course, but that was lesson #2, also a loud one.  I couldn't bend down really, so I was just holding her arm and I kept saying "that boy is going to go, then that girl, then Charlotte gets to go."  Eureka!  Turns out I haven't lost my touch as a teacher!  It worked! 

She waited, but as soon as the girl started to climb, Charlotte was at her heals behind her on the ladder.  That was lesson #3.  "Careful, her foot might get you!"  The first time up this ladder she needed lots of help.  She wasn't quite sure whether to use her knees as she climbed or her feet, so it was a combo of both.  We got to the top and I had to help her get her feet out in front of her.  Again, her grin was ear to ear.  I held her hand with one of my hands and her elbow with my other hand.  I wasn't sure how this would go over and how fast this slide would go. 

The first ride was a success!  A laughing success!  "WHEEEEEE!" she said as she stood up after her landing and she ran for more.  We had to repeat lesson #2 again.  "the boy gets to go, then this friend, then Charlotte goes."  She tried to cut again, but she got it after I kept repeating myself and she was kind of doing this bounce excitement move and making her car sound.  Hilarious.  Once again it was her turn.  I still was right behind her as she climbed, holding on to her because she was still an unsteady climber.  I held on with both hands on her arm as she went down.  After a few more slides, I realized I wasn't really holding her as she climbed, because she was basically just using her feet and hands now.  I was ready to catch her if she slipped, but she was getting to be a confident climber.  I still had to help her get her feet out in front of her at the top, but pretty soon I was really only holding her hand as she went down.   Over and over, she loved it. 

So it brings me to the thought-When do I let go?

Should I let her go down without holding her hand?  Is she ready?  She probably doesn't even realize I'm holding on to her.  Am I ready?  No.  Will I ever be ready?  Most likely, but not today.  Maybe next time.  Maybe not.  She's still so little.....or am I just too overprotective?  

I know it will happen. 

It happened while she was learning to climb that little ladder.   She started off needing a lot of my help and support holding her while she climbed and her last slide before we left just needed help getting her feet out in front of her.   A small celebration, right?

I know it will happen. 

She's going to climb up ladders and go down slides without help.  She's going to get dressed by herself.  She's going to pour her own juice, ride a bike, and go to school without me.  She's going to, gulp, drive a car and in about 16 short years go to college.  Of course she will.  But not yet, I'm still not ready.