Up until the other day I had never taken Kiana anywhere on my own. I pick Kiana up from the babysitter’s everyday and bring her home, but that is different. I’ve never been grocery shopping alone with her, I’ve never taken her to the park on my own, I’ve never been to a friend’s house without my husband along, I’ve never taken Kiana to the doctor’s on my own... my husband has always been with me to help with her. We do everything as a family. But now Kiana is at an age where she listens, she doesn’t run off or wander off aimlessly into a crowd, she sticks close, she can get in and out of the car on her own and into the car seat, and she knows to hold hands in the parking lot and willingly does so most of the time. (I am just scared that she might throw that out-of-the-blue-in-the-middle-of-a-store tantrum that is so often talked about among moms, although we have yet to experience, while I’m alone with her and I won’t be able to pick her up and haul her out of the store kicking and screaming, or I won’t have any control over her.)
The other day I had to take her to the doctor while my husband was at work. I knew I could do it, I knew it would be easy, I knew she would listen to me, but at the same time, well, this was something new for me. Parking lots are what scare me the most. I parked on the side of the building, away from traffic, where there was plenty of open spots, and close to the entrance. I took the stroller because having her sit in the stroller gave me more control. We rarely use the stroller so when we do use it she always willingly rides in it. She was perfect and it was an easy experience. Now that I have crossed that new experience, it’s time for me to take her some place else on my own. The park? Well, maybe not the park because she doesn't ever want to leave there. :)
