Elias has become quite a good walker these days. He even graduated to the “step 3” shoes which have more regular soles rather than soft, flexible ones. He can walk on his tip toes. He can walk backward. He can stomp and dance and turn around in place. He can carry things while walking. He is even sort of power walking. (I wouldn’t call it a run yet)
He has quite a bit of confidence now, and wants to walk as much as possible. We let him walk in our condo, of course, and around the neighborhood outside. He walks up my parents’ driveway…but we had never really let him walk in public places much.
Today Elias and I went to Dick’s sporting goods to get Nathan a headlamp. I decided to let Elias try walking on his own in the store.
It was scary.
It was so hard to actually take that “step” of setting him down in the store…and trusting that he would stay near me…trusting that he would not completely mess up the displays…trusting that he wouldn’t get run over by busy shoppers.
Parenting is scary because it’s a lot about change and a lot about letting go.
Of course my little walker did really well in there. He was so proud. The checkout aisle was the hardest part…there were too many distracting things right at his level.
Oh, I’ll say it again…my little boy is growing up!
I had fun being his walking buddy at church the other day. I was surprised that he kept holding my hand even after he realized it wasn’t you up there! Such a cutie.