I understand that free-range parenting is all the rage nowadays, and I totally get the appeal. However, right now, I can’t embrace that approach. It’s not like I woke up one day with a burning desire to hover over my child; he insists on my involvement. My little guy, who’s just a toddler, misses me when I’m at work and wants to engage in playful adventures at the park after school. Honestly, I didn’t even realize I was being a so-called helicopter parent until someone pointed out that my presence seems to annoy the non-involved folks at the playground.
I would love to sit back and relax on the sidelines, but my 2-year-old has other plans. Whenever I finally take a seat, he’s right there, demanding my attention: “Mom, get off the bench! Come play!” I sigh internally, wishing for a moment to just observe. But no, I’m the fun mom who has to join in on the action. It’s exhausting, and I can’t help but envy those moms who can just chill on the benches.
Typically, dads are seen as the playful ones, the wild and carefree spirits. In my household, however, that role falls to me. It’s all fun and games until I’m being dragged off the bench after a long day at work, just because my son wants to dump sand down my shirt.
And just to clarify, while you’re taking a break on the bench, I’m not judging you one bit. I have zero interest in critiquing how you handle your child’s explorations or boundaries. If your kid takes a tumble, that’s on you. I let my son fall sometimes, too—okay, maybe I laugh and point out the obvious, like, “Did you just trip?!” Hahaha!
It must be nice to sit around chatting with other moms while I’m running around engaging in toddler activities. But before you judge my active participation, remember that I have to throw myself into these moments to truly enjoy them. Yes, you’ll see me acting like a child myself, roaring down slides and coaxing my son across the swings.
You don’t have to worry about my involvement stunting my kid’s social skills. He’s in preschool five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and has even snagged a little girlfriend (shoutout to Lucy!). When we’re at the park together, he just wants to have fun with me. And guess what? Your kid thinks I’m fun too.
Your little one usually starts off by watching us, trying to gauge if I’m a threat, a weirdo, or just another big kid. Slowly, she inches closer, and before I know it, I’m playing with her too. I glance up at you occasionally, just to reassure you that I’m not some kind of creepy stranger.
So, let’s agree to be a bit more accepting of each other’s parenting styles. I’m not trying to ruin your park experience by being part of the fun, and I certainly don’t judge you for taking a breather. In fact, I envy your moment of peace—we all need those! So don’t judge me for my involvement; kids seem to think I’m a blast, and they won’t leave me alone until I’m on the ground, pretending to fall (which is kind of amusing, if we’re honest).
Engaging with your kids wasn’t in my original plan, but hey, it kept them entertained, right? You’re welcome! In reality, we’re probably better allies than you think. So, maybe save me a spot on that bench next time?
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Summary
In this lighthearted piece, the author reflects on the joys and challenges of being an actively involved parent, particularly in contrast to the idea of free-range parenting. While feeling slightly envious of more relaxed parents, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie and understanding that we all have our unique approaches to parenting. The message is to embrace each other’s styles and recognize that every interaction—whether playful or observational—contributes to the rich tapestry of parenthood.