I wasn’t the mother that put a mirror under my baby’s nose to make sure he was breathing. In fact, I was a very relaxed new mom and I’m not sure why, but I think it had to do with faith.
I had faith that the good Lord above was looking over my family; and my job was to do my best to keep my children safe and thank Him daily for entrusting those two cuties into my hands.
I suppose I have a pretty relaxed outlook on life. My dad and I always said that my mom worries enough for the whole family, so why should we waste our time worrying. And then I married a worrier, so I got another pass.
It’s probably a good thing that I got that pass, because I’m the mom of two boys, and boys tend to be risk takers. They climb, jump, wrestle, punch, roughhouse… you name it, and they do it! Worrying about all those shenanigans would drive a person insane!
The first big boo-boo happened when Daniel rode a neighbor’s little horse-on-wheels down their driveway, flipped it over, and skidded on his face. A few kisses and band-aides later and he was as good as new. No need to worry about that little mishap!
Next came sports, and a golden opportunity for the boys to get beaned in the head with a baseball or bat, destroy a knee sliding in soccer, break a neck skateboarding, or dislocate a shoulder while wrestling. I tended to be the mom screaming for my kid to run faster, not be careful!
The only serious sports injury that I can remember was when one of my sons stepped on another cross-country team member with his spikes, and sent him to the emergency room for stitches. I guess the only thing to worry about there was getting sued, but it was an accident; so, no worries.
Driving opened a whole new can of worms for this non-worrier, and two times I must admit that I did worry. The first time was when my oldest son got into the car with an older friend behind the wheel and they drove off. It was surreal, and I was on pins and needles until they returned safely.
The second time I truly worried was when both sons drove off together in a 4,000-pound mass of steel with one of them behind the wheel. They survived, and soon we weren’t thinking twice about letting them ride off together on their adventures.
When our sons headed off to college, we had to trust that we had taught them to be self sufficient members of society who would, for the most part, make good decisions, and come home for that first Thanksgiving break alive. Not only did they survive, but they both graduated from college, and both did so intact!
And everything about raising sons, rolling with the punches, staying a self-professed non-worrier, was truly tested on Saturday when they left for part-two of Joseph’s bachelor’s party. They went skydiving…
Yes, both of my babies boarded a perfectly good airplane, and then chose to jump out of it!
You know… just step right out of a flying plane at 11,000 feet and free fall for about 45 seconds before the chute opened up, and guided them safely to the ground.
I didn’t worry about Joseph and Daniel on Saturday; and you know why? I was too jealous to worry!
- Questions:
- Are you a worrier?
- What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
- Have you, or would you go skydiving?
I totally worry about my kids all the time. Now that they are both teens-driving opens a whole new type of worry. My daughter is in Spain for the summer and I am worried about a million things that could happen over there. Do moms really ever stop worrying??
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Greek Style Cucumber “Noodle” Salad w/ Kale infused Quinoa
One of my friends says that when your children get married you have another set of family members to worry about, and then when they have children, you have even more children to worry about! So I guess you’re right, moms never really stop worrying!
I think the most wonderful thing is that they are a team. When we had our second child, Andy, a neighbor commented that we’d given Cora (our first baby) a “companion for life.” They are still teenagers and I don’t know if they see it that way, but I hope they do eventually.
I like that… a companion for life. My two sons are definitely great friends, and have so much fun when they’re together!
Oh my Gosh! What a GREAT idea for a bachelor party! I LOVE it. Sometimes I tend to worry about the dogs a little more than I should, but mostly I am fine with letting them off the leash to go wonder and jump and frolic through the mountains. I figure if anything happens to them, they were having much more fun being off leash than they ever would have had they stated by my side the whole time. I know dogs aren’t kids but that is all I’ve got.
Amy recently posted…Team Cereal Killers
I thought skydiving was a brilliant idea for Joseph’s bachelor party, too. First 18-holes of golf, then skydiving, and then hitting the casino and horse track. It sounded like a fun, if not exhausting day to me!
Great post. Obviously growing up a boy, I agree boys are suppose to play rough, get cuts, and bounce back up and keep on going. Mrs is definitely the worrier and non chance taker. But now we have our little princess and its dads job to make sure nothing ever happens to her 🙂
Scary is a tough one, I’ve been on hikes in the middle of nowhere, no communication, no food or water, and all you have is yourself, your pack, and your hiking knowledge. If something goes wrong that is pretty scary.
Skydiving is awesome and I’m sure it’s a huge adrenaline rush. I don’t see it as scary but I stick to the logic that the plane is perfectly fine so why jump lol.
The running Schlub recently posted…It’s Time To Get Back To Business
Thanks! Yes, I’d imagine a dad would worry about his little girl a lot!
I looove all the family pics, Deb! You are my inspiration as my boy gets older! I have never gone skydiving (too scared!) but my husband has twice.
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Thanks, Caroline!
I try not to worry – I’m like you and want my boys to soar!!!
The funny thing is my husband has always been the “hen” in our family. Crazy since he is a pilot and has parachuted out of a plane before!!!
Kim recently posted…I Messed Up!!!
I guess some people are just greater worriers than others despite how adventuresome their own life is!
i don’t have kids but i can only imagine the worries. so cool to hear that it is actually possible to be a calm new mom!
Kristin @ W [H] A T C H recently posted…SHAMROCK HALF MARATHON
I’ve had friends that were extreme worriers. I had one mom friend who admitted that she went into her baby’s room multiple times per night to make sure her baby was still breathing. Poor new mom must have been exhausted because we all know that if they’re going to get any sleep, you need to while the baby is sleeping!
I try not to worry, but I am married to a total worrier! We balance each other out. I can’t imagine what it must be like to see your baby drive off in a car, though! I don’t blame you for worrying over that one!!
Carly @ Fine Fit Day recently posted…The Run Report – shoes, races, favorite places
That’s my husband and me, too! We totally balance each other out, but I think we both held our breath when the boys drove off in the car together that first time!
Skydiving in a polo shirt. Love it!
Straight from the golf course to skydiving! 🙂
I have no interest in skydiving, and I’m not sure how I would handle my kids doing it. I’m not a big worrier, but I’m sure that when my baby starts driving on her own in February, I will be anxious. I want her to soar, but safely!
Dana recently posted…Listen to Your Mother videos are live!
Soar, but safely… perfectly said! However, I’m still jealous of my sons’ skydiving bachelor party and that they didn’t invite me! 🙂
I am the worrier in the family and always have been. But Barry is like you, so we balance each other out nicely. Oddly enough, despite my being the worrier, I’m also the more optimistic one.
That was one wild bachelor party Joseph had! It’s amazing all the close calls, the “another inch and they could’ve been killed,” events that we make it through as kids. And yet, here we are 🙂
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Between golf, skydiving, and gambling, I think they had a great time!