I resolutely shut my laptop and was determined to bring them out, despite, or precisely cuz Papa is not around.. I feel the need to be double the fun double the responsibility..
So I told En that we would go to the Children's Park - we went once before, but the Park is closed on Monday, so En ended up feeding the fish in Botanic Gardens the last time..
This time round, it was the perfect day out at the park.. and I must say the park does have its potential.. There is this plant watering area, with water sprouting out of the ground as well which all the kids revel in.. but as En and Xuan did not have extra clothes on them, i tried to dissuade them from being totally wet.. Still en was fascinated with the archaic water dispenser which draws water up from the ground - no tap. Quite cool actually.
Then there is the tree house, which En gingerly made his way about.. fun stuff...
Then there is this other little house for kids to explore and play.. Xuan is calmly and coolly taking all the new excitement in stride.. he loves the outdoors very much, though sometimes he looks a tad lost.
Little Xuan fascinated by the surroundings.. and wondering...
Then there is En's favourite, which we have to visit twice before he is willing to leave the park..There is this floating deck in the pond and there we sat for a long while simply enjoying the greens and looking at the murky waters!
I made a few observations during the trip..
Most parents are really involved with their kids.. then there are some who leave their kids to lay while they enjoy the papers, then there are those who are screaming at the top of their voices at the rowdy kids, or stopping the gals from climbing too high up the tree house...
I hope we as parents can be more involved in kids' activities.. and as well as letting them have enough space to explore.. While it is v tiring to be involved all the time, but for the 2-3 hrs at the park.. it will really be nice to really play with the kids I feel. It is part of the quality time spent.. No criticism here, but somehow i feel if we bring the kids to the park but then leave them to be while we read papers, it does not somehow seem like we have spend quality time with the kids.. hmm..
Then i also note some parents admonishing kids who are scruffy, crawling on the floor etc..
I thinks parents who have seen Xuan crawling about the walkways, and with En imitating him and crawling after him must be appalled.. at the level of dirt I allow my kids to get into.. Of course there are there parents who are OK to have the kids rowdy, so long as the rowdiness does not extend to them.. For me, well I have no qualms about sitting where the kids are comfortable or taking En through the little pebbled walkway amidst the sprouting plants and having to fan the plants away as we make our way to the pond.. after all, a clean bath is a drive away.. I think kids should be allowed to explore and have fun with minimal restrain.. at a young age of 1 or 2, what do they really know about dirty clothes and palms.. and it kinda defeat the purpose of getting back to nature if we really want to be very Jane Austen lady like about it..
I think as parents, one of the things I enjoy most is to return to child play, despite my age.. The ability of a child to draw us down to their level and experience their world is amazing. And we have to be willing to go to that place.. Sometimes I also feel if I am older when I have kids, I may not have the energy, nor the effort to do the child like things that kids love to do - along with the right spirit. I think that sporting spirit is important and critical to bonding and affinity.
Do not play with a child expecting the child to abide by our rules. Do not even set too many rules, many of which the child do not understand..
Do allow the child to bring out the child in us.. do share that free- spiritedness and joy that the child possess in exploring the world around them.
It is something that they only have once, and we as adults only have as long as our kids remain kids. One day, they will grow up and assume responsibilities required to face this world.
One day, they will lose that free spiritedness... and as much as I can, I protectively want En and Xuan to have as much of that now.. when they are licensed to do that. And I want to be part of that precocious world..
It is a tiring 2 hours, but an enriching one for all of us..
And I feel much better returning to work today, knowing I spent a great, relaxing weekend with the babies..
Each step you take may be tiny, Yet it is a big step for me to follow and catch up..
As you make your way about this world in your infant steps
Seeing the world through your angelic eyes,
Learning about the world with your chubby fingers and fists,
Filling the world with your amused chuckles
I tread slowly and carefully in your wake
Trying to catch a glimpse of the world that you have revealed to me
And ridding myself of the world's puppet strings
Just so I can really be with you
In this space and time that can only be
When you are with me.
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