Merry Death

Children's Museum of Richmond

Vivienne and I went to the Children's Museum today. I had so much fun myself, we bought a years unlimited membership.

We went with my good friend Chris and his son, Sammy. When we arrived there were 2 school busses dropping off a ton of elementary students. We quickly paid and went in to get the 15 minutes of quiet play time and prime real estate in the place before all hell broke loose. We heard some enthusiastic shouting and then the decibel level rose to a dull roar as 100 6 yr olds ran towards us. We quickly retreated into the 1-4 yr old area, blocked off from the 'big' kids by a gate. Whew.

I was too afraid to go into the slide tunnel for fear of getting stuck. This is the curse of a fat girl...Claustrophobia in a big way. Vivienne went through but then freaked when she couldn't see me from the bottom. That was the last of the slide. There also was a big wooden truck, foam blocks, a tent and puzzles. There was a fake kitchen and book reading area. That was just the small kids room!

After the loud children calmed down, we went back out and played on the spider seat, the grass rocker and walked up lots and lots of steps. Finally, in the block room (which was, sadly enough, as big as my house), Chris and I sat over to the side and let our kids interact with each other and other kids.

That has to be the scariest thing and the hardest lesson to learn for a first time parent...to let your kids be free with other kids. To leave your child in the care of a babysitter is one thing, to let her find her own voice and place in a room full of 2-6 yr olds in another. Kids just aren't as aware as adults. They kick accidentally, push over, back up into, take toys away from, say mean things, and more. I think that will be my biggest challenge, to not protect my baby from those that could hurt her physically and emotionally. Until then, I will hover like any freaky first time mom....you can bank on it.

posted by Metalmeredith @ 3:53 PM