Toddler Taking Me For A Walk

Yesterday Baby T needed a change in scene her mood was shifting to the not so pleasant and the quickest thing I could think of was going out. 


Whilst getting ready I decided to ask Baby T if she wanted to take the 'blue' stroller, which is her stroller of preference (it's a Uppababy G-lux in case you want to know and we all LOVE it). She said no. We had no real mission to accomplish so instead of giving her the alternative option I just said "ok we will walk". Put on our rain boots and out we went. 


Now since we had no major errand to accomplish I decided to let T take control of this walk on where we went, where we stopped and how long we took. It was a bit of an experiment to see what her interests were and where she decided to go and spend time. It was AWESOME. I had so much fun watching her and seeing what took her interest and I bet she enjoyed not being pushed around or rushed to go somewhere. Here are some photo's of what Baby T decided to explore: 

Stairs are always a favourite to go up and down or sit on. 

Of course you have to smell the flowers! Also loves to pick them then throw them or give them to you - dependant on mood. Funny side note anything that smells (like spices) Taya asks "flowers?" 

Practising going down a hill. Not so easy in wellies! 

Obsessed with doors, car doors too. Baby T tried to open most car doors on our walk - I wonder what will happen if one day a door opens or if an alarm goes off?

Stair of course but also Baby T lies to go up to the doors to look at the locks and to knock on the door. Apple does not fall far from the tree here - I used to go visit all neighbours and knock on their door difference was we lived in a neighbourhood with houses. Baby T often tires to get me to use the "buttons!" for the buzzer. Right after this picture T walked up to the door, started to knock waiting for it to be answers, which is never usually is, but this time two people walked along the hall and T freaked out turned screaming back to me - hilarious! 

Of course puddles! This never gets old for T.

I wonder how much of a disservice we do to our children by constantly rushing them around, by continually pushing them in strollers or driving them in cars. Is it really enough to let them loose in a playground? Why can't they explore other areas's as well - free to stop, to touch, to even just listen to their surroundings. 


I need to make a better point of finding outside time that really is on Baby T's terms for her to explore and be. Just as it is important to be able to self direct ones own play it is just as important to be able to self direct the outside time with nature, to learn and wonder over what is close by - totally something that I don't think I have done since I was a child  (my hiking does not count as I really don't stop to take in the wonder it is more of a mission to get fit)