This Spring, I Learned About Planting Ideas

I have a theory and I would love input from the other parents out there. Ready? Here goes:

Ignorance is bliss,
especially when it comes to your child.

Don’t worry . . . I don’t mean letting your child run with scissors or go swimming by himself. I’m talking about the little things, such as planting ideas in your child’s head. We just returned from a trip to Florida and, based on my vacationing experiences, I respectfully submit “Momma Defense Exhibits” A, B and C.

Exhibit A: Something I didn’t tell my daughter.
I was very worried about the flight: no car seat, she would want to kick the seat in front of her, she would have to potty when the seat belt light was on. The list was endless. We talked about the airplane, and her grammy told her that it might be loud, but I intentionally didn’t tell her that her ears might “pop” during takeoff and landing.

I packed some fruit snacks in case she needed something to chew, gave her a pack as we were getting ready to take off, and crossed my fingers in hopes that she wouldn’t start screaming. All my worries were for naught as takeoff was uneventful. She barely even noticed that we were landing as she was more amused with opening and closing the window shade.

For the return trip, she slept during landing. My ears were popping worse than they ever have before, and all the gum and all the yawning in all the world wouldn’t have helped. It’s been a week and a half and they’re still not quite right.

Exhibit B: Something else I didn’t tell my daughter.
We went on a fishing charter with Daddy while in Florida; Amelia was by far the youngest on the boat. We received our fishing poles and Amelia got her sea legs.

Periodically, she and I took a walk to the restroom towards the stern and, each time, I swear, there was yet another passenger with his or her head next to a bucket. The ocean was choppy, so Amelia and I slowly walked to the restroom and returned to where Daddy was waiting. Not once did the waves bother her. In fact, she ate snacks and drank juice boxes throughout the trip.

Several passengers commented on how surprised they were that my daughter didn’t get sick and that’s when it hit me: ignorance is bliss. I politely asked each of them to not mention anything to her – she didn’t know that seasickness even existed – and all was well. Before you ask, we didn’t catch a thing.

Exhibit C: What I told her.
One morning, we decided to go for a walk and find some breakfast. It wasn’t too far, probably a mile and a half each way, but Momma did something bad. “Come on, Amelia, we want to hurry so your legs won’t get too tired,” I said (or something along those lines).

No sooner had the words escaped my lips than Amelia was tired. Amelia was a little whiny. Amelia was scuffing her shoes along the sidewalk. Amelia wanted to be carried. Sure enough, just mentioning her getting tired was enough to trigger sudden preschooler exhaustion. Daddy and I took turns carrying her in our arms and on our shoulders playing “I Spy” along the way.

We had a great trip, but nonetheless are happy to be back in Brecksville. Now all I need are some more sunny skies and I’ll be all set.