We were at the In-laws house a few days ago and the twins were playing, exploring the surroundings for the first half an hour or so. There is a little split level step from the dining room into the lounge room. B2 has gone up and down it lots of times but is usually hesitant for a while after we first arrive until he gets comfortable in the new environment. He was standing up in the dining room, while we all sat in the lounge room encouraging him to come down, saying “You can do it” and “Come on, good boy.” He must have felt a variety of emotions as he looked at the step and then up at the four adults all sitting there staring at him. He looked down at his feet, at the step, then looked up from under his brow at everyone watching him. Next thing he looked at me, his bottom lip dropped and his face turned as he began to cry.
I don’t know if he was scared, embarrassed or unsure of himself but the look on his face as I stood up and he held his arms out to me broke my heart. Just as the cuddle he then gave me and how quickly he was back to his normal happy self after the reassurance he got from being in my arms then melted my heart.
I used to be so shy when I was little and it really took me back to a variety of feelings and emotions that he could have been feeling in that moment. I want to protect him from ever feeling them but I know I can’t and I also know they are necessary in learning and growing throughout life.
So I will just have to make sure my babies know that they can always come to me to express how they are feeling and for the love and reassurance they need.
Ang
