At some point Friday afternoon, Chloe was running around barefoot in North Philly.
No less than 30 strangers, mostly Temple students or college employees or rainbow-brite clad BassNectar concert attendees alerted me to this development.
Because obviously, I did not notice that my 3-year-old was running around shoeless. Obviously, the size 8 Dora the Explorer sneakers in my hands were a fashion accessory (because clearly we were all headed to rock out to BassNectar or whatever you do that is BassNectar-ish).
Now, I know people want to be helpful, like when they point out one of my children has their shoes on the wrong feet (yes, they often do. because I am trying to teach them to take care of themselves and often, they get it mixed up) I know people might think that I somehow did not notice my child undressing in the mall a couple weeks ago — and sprinting bare-butted through Build-A-Bear — because maybe I am visually impaired. I know we all know it takes a village to raise a child and everyone wants to be in my village, because I am just that darn special.
But, really? Enough with Captain Obvious. Yes, I actually permitted Chloe to run barefoot through the city streets risking a cut foot or a shard of crack-pipe wedged in her foot. I absolutely allowed it. I enabled this homeless, bag-lady behavior because the alternative was screaming and writhing and hitting. I just wanted to get to the parking garage and strap the shoeless little monster (darling) into her car seat.
because the alternative was
screaming and writhing and hitting.
I know what all those villagers are thinking: You, Mrs. Adkins, cannot control your own children.
And you know what, you are right. I have no control. And neither do you — your children are also running wild in one way or another.
Our children have minds of their own and no matter how hard we attempt to force them to do exactly what we want, they will never ever do it, unless it is their idea. We might fool ourselves into thinking that we've got the little loves under control with threats and bribes, but really, they are going to do what they want at the end of the day.
Naughty-spot be damned, shards of crack pipes, rocks, sticks and drafty little behinds at the mall: our children don't belong to us. All we can do is provide wisdom, expectations, lessons in common sense and of course, consequences for poor behavior or inappropriate choices. All we can do is give our children all the tools they need to someday be healthy adults. We can pray for them and with them. We can naughty-spot them until the carpeting on the stairs is worn bare. We can ground them and take away their car keys a million times.
But, they will still run barefoot in North Philly.
Trish Adkins is a South Jersey mom. This post is adapted from blog, Yoke.
