Before Lil Bit was born, we bumped into a Mom’s group at gymnastics. I swear it was kismet; besides a working mom's group I joined before the lay-off, they were the first group of incredibly friendly moms I have met in New England. They just opened up and talked as if we had known one another in years. The most friendly mother, Momma E, had actually recently moved from Colorado Springs (coincidentally??) and I knew I had to get over my own Jennifer shyness and let JD get into the fray with these women. We had a play date in June, went on vacation, and then the baby came. These ladies have been on my mind since then, but we only just today finally got back together with them.
I hate that it has taken me so long. In my recent awaking from the baby fog I knew I had to touch base with them again. They are brilliantly lovely women with parenting styles similar to my own. It is hard to feel lonely when you are around people as open as the Midwestern sky! I find it funny that while we were at the playground casually chatting and playing with the kids, we engulfed another mom and her girls into the group; another woman who had recently moved and was feeling shy and desperate to know more about the area. Momma E instantly welcomed her and chatted her up along with another local mom whose adorable children were playing with ours. Since Bit was asleep in her stroller and Momma E was keeping an eye on the “stuff,” I hopped in on the kid games.
Bug wanted me to be a troll under the bridge, so I started trying to grab their feet while they pounced on the bouncy bridge apparatus to the slide. It started with two girls, then the third wanted to climb the “tower” to get away from me. So I became the tickle troll who would tickle them down the slide. Incorporating the slide drew a fourth kid, then a fifth and before I knew it, there were seven four to two year olds chasing me around the park begging for tickles. Bug then incorporated a game I started when I was pregnant and couldn’t rough house any more. Basically, we snuggle and take pretend bites out of one another and decide what flavor we taste like. She grabbed my neck and captured the tickle troll, took a “bite” and declared I tasted like strawberries. The other kids quickly caught on and would take their turns deciding what I tasted like. Apparently, pizza is a popular troll delight.
When I got her dressed this morning, I was just hoping she wouldn’t be too shy around all the other kids I knew we would meet up with. I put her hair in cute pigtails and said a little prayer for her to be the outgoing star I know she can be. But instead, I ended up being the star of the playground. And, honestly, isn’t that how it should be? There I was running around and around with seven kids trailing me, eager for either tickles or to tackle me and take a bite. Who isn’t more fun to defeat, chase, or have the attention from on the playground when you are a small child than an adult? With the freedom of knowing Bit was being watched, I was able to be the star in Bug’s show for her friends and she felt so confident. I could see her beaming with pride that her Mommy was the one everyone wanted to be around. And the other Moms were able to chat seeing there was someone making sure they were taking turns, keeping their hands to themselves, or climbing safely.
Sure, I gave up a little time chatting with the moms, but honestly I feel so FULL after getting in kid time. Playing gives me back all the vigor I lost being 30, paying bills, and counting calories. Instead of an espresso, take a shot of playtime and you will feel energized again. Next time we go to the park, I will be happy to give Momma E a turn being the star since she is a very hands-on mother as well. Then her little girl will be the one with the “cool” mom.
There were plenty of parents actively playing with their kids at the park today and that also makes me a happy camper. Sure, sometimes you just want to read a book in peace while your kids run and I understand that. But if you’ve never given it a try, I encourage you to be the star of the playground. I promise your day will suddenly seem a lot funner, I mean, more fun.
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