RE: What to say to kids instead of "Be Careful!"
as a mama of 3 girls age 8,5 and 10 months I have had my fair share of moments, where in I have watched with my heart in my mouth. One of the hardest things can be to trust that your children can figure out things for themselves, I did interfere alot with my first, but their father was always saying to let her be, to take a step back which eventually I did and well there were a few tumbles but she got very good at figuring out things for herself. So with my last two I am near by and will only intervene if necessary. Kids are very clever and smart especially if we allow them and give them the space to show us. I have been taught great lessons in staying calm by my girls and trusting their amazing abilities from when they become mobile. It's not always easy to watch. My 10 month old loves to climb and will climb up onto furniture, I let her, I just make sure I am right next to her and that is all. Trusting our children is such a gift.
They certainly offer the chance to improve our ability to stay calm! On a few occasions I have been surprised by the feelings which came up when I was tired and Esteban wouldn't sleep for hours.
Sounds like we have a similar story. Sabrina is much more protective than I. To me it seems as if her enjoyment of life is compromised by her constant danger analysis of each situation. And I've noticed a few times now that when the focus of attention is on the not happening... guess what happens!
My biggest hill to climb is not so much with the children but with my understanding of Sabrina's words and actions.
It sure is a journey of self discovery. For all of us.
Definitely when we become parents it is like we are relearning ourselves, it brings up so many different feelings and reactions that we otherwise wouldn't have experienced, it is like our personalities are placed in the spot light. But it is all good learning as our children are our best teachers, they just let things happen and be in flow.