Update on My Boy

// 2.12.06 // Filed under: My Son, Parenting

What a difference a year makes.

A year ago, my son would not even consider participating in a class without me by his side. Joining a sports team seemed like an impossible dream. He still wanted me to help him bathe and get dressed. He didn’t care how his hair was styled. He was happy watching the Noggin channel and playing board games.

Today, at age 7, he is immersed in activities that don’t involve me. He’s quite the athlete. He showers on his own and insists he grow his hair long. The Cartoon Network and Playstation2 rule our TV. He’s developing his independence and it makes my heart sing.

This winter, L has taken a gymnastics class offered to homeschoolers at our gym, as well as continuing his regular swim lessons. He skis on Fridays and goes to “Baseball Basics” on Thursdays. And he’s developed an interest in roller hockey.

We joined a ski club and I get to ski with L every other week while my husband stays home with C (PHAT Daddy gets to ski alternate weeks while I stay home). Oh man, it is SO AWESOME to just snap on our skis and go. L can ski anywhere now – we’ve been on expert trails, in the half-pipe, and in the terrain park. Can I just say how psyched we are that he loves to ski?!?!

Baseball seems to be his team sport of choice. His class takes place in the sports dome at our gym, and he looks so damn cute hitting balls and running the bases out on that immense field. And… are you ready?… We just signed him up for Little League for the spring. IÃ¢ÂÂm just about faint with excitement, and, yes, a bit of nervousness. What will he face out there on the baseball field? The thrill of victory? His first dose of ridicule? Bonding with new friends? The pain of being left out?

When your children are small, you can protect them from so much. But at some point, you have to give up that control. My baby boy is getting older and the cord is stretching thinner and thinner. I’m certain he’ll be ready to cut it sooner than I will.

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