Sophie swims at least once a week in the baby pool at her grandparents' residence.
It is one of my favourite parenting activities.
First, it allows Ben and I to have Sophie to ourselves - uninterrupted moments of bonding with our baby and with each other. Let me explain. For many reasons (and to cut the long story short), our tiny family of three began living under the same roof as Ben's parents last month - and we are now a household of five. While we are very blessed to have Ben's parents help us with Sophie, especially when we have to work out of the home (for me, some afternoons of the week), and Ben needs to drive only 15 minutes to work (compared to 1 hour 15 minutes or more when we were staying on the other side of the island), it can be difficult for me. I have often struggled under the weight of my insecurities, as it bothers me from time to time that Sophie can be so attached to two other persons who are not her parents. Also, while my in-laws treat me like their own daughter, I can yet feel like an outsider at times (my problem, not theirs) to the extent of despairing over the false, exaggerated sense of having lost my husband and daughter (not to mention much of my personal space) when we moved in with them. Taking Sophie down to the pool for a swim with Ben gives me a breath of fresh air, so to speak, cools my ankles and helps me to reconcile those tangled-up emotions so that I return home stronger, more forgiving and generous. Thank God.
Secondly, it allows Ben and I to connect with the parents in our neighbourhood. Being an introvert, I have never craved socialising with strangers as much as when I became a mother. Meeting other parents at the pool with their babies and toddlers has become something that I look forward to - like some form of therapy. I guess, it encourages me to be reminded (by their presence) that we are not alone in the hard work of bringing up children. :)
Last but not least, it fills my heart with joy to see Sophie progress from merely drifting upon her float to kicking/cycling in the water to move herself from Point A to Point B (sometimes unsuccessfully, haha). I am one proud parent indeed.
Proud of you, princess.
3 comments:
Hi Grace. Thank you for sharing. I can identify with your feelings and it must be quite difficult for you. But take hope that God is molding us to be loving, to reflect His love, even when it stretches us beyond our own limits to love. Praying for you, dear sister.
Thanks Valerie. I am so grateful for our friendship... as well as for the fact that you've gone a little ahead of me in child raising so that I can always glean from your wisdom and experiences. Love.
It can be difficult living with your in-laws, especially in the chinese culture so it is really good that you are treated like a daughter and not an outsider. It is still hard to deal, though, especially since you had your own home previously..but this is for a season and God is using this to work things in you and in all those involved. You are very much loved and will come out of this much stronger and wiser than before. :-)
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