If you can’t beat them, join them or so the old saying goes. That’s never really been my philosophy. No, mine’s pretty much always been just leave them alone.
See, I’m not an inherently competitive person. I’m more of the conflict-avoider/peacemaker type. I wouldn’t say I’m a true introvert, but I have tendencies. When it comes to fads, I usually go out of my way not to partake. Truth be told, I didn’t start watching Sex And The City until the series was over. Never read Harry Potter, and only recently discovered what all the fuss was over the Bella/Edward/Jacob love triangle. Don’t even get me started on GOT, I’ve got another 10 years to catch up on that one.
You know what I am obsessed with though? Dinosaurs. And Paw Patrol. Lions and Disney World. Literally whatever my son takes a slight interest in, I’m all over it. And not like a dip-your-toe-in-the-water all over it, more like a dive-straight-in-head-first-type of all over it.
I find so much joy in fully embracing his interests, for his sake of course. I don’t know, maybe subconsciously I want to be a “joiner.” I mean, what could explain my insistence of getting matching family t-shirts for our first Disney trip? Or learning every reptilian name from the Mesozoic Era? Or theming every birthday party around his newest obsession (time to find out if that same guy that dressed up as Elmo and rented us the petting zoo does TRex too?).
The untapped potential of my son is not lost on me, and I want him to approach everything in life with gusto, joy, and enthusiasm. What better way to teach that than through first-hand experience? The funny thing is, I really do want to be a joiner on his stuff! I don’t know, maybe it’s a second chance to relive childhood with unabandoned joy.
This unexpected appetite to be a part of the congregation for all things 3-year-old has trickled in to my adult life and made me realize that I may have some fear of rejection issues going on here. Big shout out to velociraptor and triceratops for helping me discover that one!
I find myself having a bit (large emphasis on bit) less trepidation when it comes to joining already “established” crews. Recently, I even walked my son over to a group of kids playing with his favorite Monster Trucks so he could play too – a side effect was chatting up the moms and meeting some great new people! I’ve decided I won’t allow my baggage to block the way for my son’s joy.
So bring on the cheesy theme-park matching shirts, decorating for Christmas in October, pumpkin-spice everything, family portraits for every season, and Paw Patrol Live. We’ll be there, front row, with coordinating bells on.
Enjoying your son’s childhood, only magnifies his own. Being apart of the experience puts you into his world. When you write I can feel how you think and all I can say is, the love you have spills over to all that is in your presence. You son is as lucky with you, as you are with him. Another beautiful article.
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