We took a walk with friends on Sunday in an effort to blow away the cobwebs and cabin fever that inevitably follows a cold and damp Christmas. Our friends' daughter V is nearly 3 and in awe of Rosalie. To her eyes, five and a half is obviously really grown up.
Anyway, V was intent on holding Rosalie's hand all day, but each time they reconnected there was this strange elaborate handshake process, like some kind of (Sesame) street gang. After watching this a couple of times, I realised the problem. As they are both children (and therefore usually shorter than their hand-holding partner), they both expect to be the 'under' hand in the clinch.
This reminded me of a conversation that I had recently with a participant on a wheelchair skills training session. She mentioned the frustration that her daughter feels in not being able to hold her mother's hand. I was able to tell her that, now Rosalie is a little older, we are able to hold hand occasionally. Yes, we need fairly flat ground, but the main change is that Rosalie is a little taller and a little stronger, so that she now gives me something to pull on to keep myself straight.
Once again, we are learning together. Once again, I am both excited and daunted by the prospect of having a new child and trying to develop this understanding all over again.
Anyway, V was intent on holding Rosalie's hand all day, but each time they reconnected there was this strange elaborate handshake process, like some kind of (Sesame) street gang. After watching this a couple of times, I realised the problem. As they are both children (and therefore usually shorter than their hand-holding partner), they both expect to be the 'under' hand in the clinch.
This reminded me of a conversation that I had recently with a participant on a wheelchair skills training session. She mentioned the frustration that her daughter feels in not being able to hold her mother's hand. I was able to tell her that, now Rosalie is a little older, we are able to hold hand occasionally. Yes, we need fairly flat ground, but the main change is that Rosalie is a little taller and a little stronger, so that she now gives me something to pull on to keep myself straight.
Once again, we are learning together. Once again, I am both excited and daunted by the prospect of having a new child and trying to develop this understanding all over again.
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