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 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.
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 on 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 who 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 part of the congregation for all things three-year-old has trickled into 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 about 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 let my baggage block 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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