Recently I had the great joy
Of helping to care for my grandchildren.
In my case that’s twin 22 month-olds
Harper and Henry.
Or as I sometimes call them H2W.
They are as you would expect
Perpetual motion
Times 2.
So their parents wisely
Planned a few activities in advance.
On Tuesday morning
We headed to the Denver Botanical Garden
For a class on Sunflowers
Designed for 18 – 24 month-olds.
The room was all set up for the class.
An oval rug for sunflower story-time.
Toddler sized table and chairs for the 2 dozen or so participants
Which included 3 sets of twins.
And a row of adult sized chairs along the perimeter.
Henry and Harper found a chair and settled in
For whatever was to come
Kristina and I found a chair in the adult section.
When the sunflower art session started
We realized we were the only adults
Not hovering above their child.
Now, I’ve heard the phrase “hover-mother”
But I’d never seen it in action.
Folks, it’s real.
Where Henry and Harper created abstract masterpieces.
Other’s somehow formed perfect rows
Of perfect sunflowers.
It made me think of my garden
Am I a “hover-mother” gardener?
I love to putter around my flowers.
Deadheading – staking things,
Moving plants to what I think is a better location.
When I got home I realized that I’m likely
More free-range.
What with that crazy hollyhock having returned
To the front of the garden.
Not to mention Larkspur run a muck.
Later in my visit
The weather warmed up enough
For us to play outside.
Elliott provided plenty of water.
For Harper and Henry to play in.
They were generous.
A little on the plants
A little on their grandfather’s shoes.
And eventually a little on each other.
Parenting styles seem to be like gardening styles.
Some of us need to be all hands on all the time
While others step back and let nature be
What nature can be.
I’m thankful we seem to be
A free-range family.
Gail
In My Garden 