Here We Go Again!
By Sherri Smith Brown
Five years ago I became a mother for the third time. Now, this isn’t so unusual, but one fact about my motherhood puts me in a rather unique position. There are 25 years between my second child and my third.
What differences do those 25 years equate to? Well, rear-facing baby car seats—and car seats until the age of six. Paper diapers in every shape and size—pull-ups even. Pre-mixed, ready-to-go formula. Plastic bottle inserts that don’t need to be boiled first. Wipes. Pack and plays. Umbie strollers. Go cups. Computerized mobiles, sound machines, swings and other toys. The cutest clothes imaginable—and plenty to choose from. Baby books galore, CDs, baby/child websites, huge chain stores devoted to children. Nope, this stuff was not in existence 25 years ago—at least not in my locale.
I noticed that many of the modern conveniences of motherhood seem to be devoted to making mommy and child much more mobile. Astoundingly, this is true. Going places with baby (toddler, small child) is now much easier. And though sometimes—when I’m in the moment—getting my child packed up, out the door, and buckled into the car seat seems to consume more time than I want to expend, I anticipate the idea of re-visiting old places I have traveled to many years before with a child or two in hand. I remember how opening the eyes of a small child to new experiences is a reward beyond compare. The zoo, the center for puppetry arts, nature centers, state parks—all are places I am traveling to again. Pure unadulterated children destinations, but also, just plain old destinations that children will benefit being exposed to. Concerts, events, festivals, museums—the list is endless.
So, this “Brown’s Guides for Kids” blog is devoted to all parents, but with a special emphasis on the older parent—in fact, one old enough to be a grandparent. In fact, one who is a grandparent.
Come along with Brianna and me. She’s five and loves to go on explorations with her Mama. We’ll take a look at all the fun things there are to do with kids in Georgia – and other places too - and report back to Brown’s Guide.