lessons learned from my own rookie mistake

On Monday my kids and I attended our town's "Holiday Stroll" in the downtown area. One of the reasons I chose this event was it was seemingly a very perfect Baby Bunching activity--walkable (hate loading my kids in the car), early enough not to cut into bedtime, and free. Finding the perfect activity can be hard you know? And for 4 blocks on a very cool Christmasy-feeling evening, I would happily stroll along for a Santa sighting, Christmas tree lighting, caroling and hot chocolate. 

I bundled my kids up in their heavy jackets, rain boots (only just stopped raining) and grabbed the flashlights(see, I'm learning). And we headed out. Of course, hubby had promised to meet us there, but I know better by now that I'm lucky if he's home by 7:30 most evenings.

We arrive to find a mass of people in the blocked off section of the main street. One kid sees a mini petty zoo and the other spots his friend. Immediately both kids go in two directions in the dark. After discussing that they indeed could not take off since A) it was dark and I couldn't see them and B) I was going this alone without daddy, they agreed we'd all stay together (by way of the death grip....very cheery).

As the evening went on, the temperatures continued to drop and my kids began whining about cold hands. No, I did not bring their gloves. But we persisted. And in the next hour, we darted from activity to activity collecting random items. And despite my anxiety to keep track of everyone and hold everything, they seemed to be having a good time.

At one point, I was standing in the middle of the street holding 2 balloon animals (that we waited in line for 20 minutes for), hot chocolate, 2 marshmallows on 2 sticks, 2 flashlights and a hot potato. As we muddled through the next hour, I cursed myself for making a rookie mistake of not being prepared with basic supplies like a bag to hold gloves, wipes, tissues and even my keys that I temporarily thought I lost.

We did end it on a good note at the small chapel near the church where we finally sat ourselves down and warmed up. As I listened to my four-year old belt out "Go Tell it on the Mountain," I decided I needed to see the forest for the trees here. It was a good event and even with my lackadaisical planning, the kids still had a blast.

On the way home they raved about roasting marshmallows in the fire pit, hearing music and petting the animals. And then begged for me to take them there next year. I was reminded that kids' needs really are simple. We bust our butts to "do it up right" for them and they are happy with a simple, free small-town-feeling holiday affair complete with hot chocolate and Jingle Bells.

Comments

[Renee]

I LOVED this. you are so right. It's sort of like how we buy them a $50 gift and they play with the box and wrapping paper. lol

[Shell]

Aw, I think you did great!

I didn't even see the mistake until you pointed it out. I'm still at that stage where I don't go anywhere without the double stroller, so I always have a storage space.

[Kate Coveny Hood]

I only aspire to this. I'd say it was a huge success.

[Cara Fox]

Boy girl, your standards for success have changed! Back in the day, it would've been a success if one baby hadn't melted down and screamed all the way home and the other hadn't run in front of a horse-drawn cart. Cut yourself some slack for not having the emergency kit - I mean, a jacket sleeve doubles as a tissue in a pinch, right? Sounds like it was fun!

[Linda]

Cara, you are so right! Well, my kids almost ran in front of the fire truck with Santa on it. But yes, it was a success...and could have been SOOOO much worse.

[Jess]

You're braver than I am. While I was also excited for the kids to see the holiday lights, my two run in opposite directions a lot. I opted for strapping them down in carseats and going to a drive-through light show...where I learned that my son is not a big fan of the dark. sigh

[Parenting Magazine]

We all learn from our own mistakes. Just avoid to make it again.