Commuter Mom: Let Go

Commuter Girl has discovered a new friend in the neighborhood. He’s lived here for a while, but they never really connected more than once or twice. Last weekend we had a BBQ and Commuter Girl and Neighbor Boy had a ball! They ran and ran and ran and ran. Then they ate and ate and ate and ate. They played and played and played. I love seeing her play with other kids, so it was really fun for both of us.

At one point Neighbor Boy wanted to show Commuter Girl his playroom. The two kids and the two moms were hanging out in the playroom when the kids decided to go upstairs…up the metal and wood steep-slippery-spiral stairs. We don’t let Commuter Girl use the spiral stairs in our house; we still have them gated off. But, off Neighbor Boy went…right up the stairs with no issue. Meanwhile I’m hovering behind Commuter Girl, afraid to be more than one step behind her.

How do you know if you are giving your kids enough space to fall and learn to get back up? When do you draw the line and say it just isn’t safe even if the next door neighbor thinks it is? I don’t want Commuter Girl to be afraid of taking risks, but I am afraid of her getting hurt.