January 18

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Watching out the front window as a neighbor's kid practices walking.

I remember thinking, back when my kid was that age, how intelligent of Mother Nature to arrange it so that the time when people generally learn to walk is the time when their bottoms are only a foot from the ground (and, in our culture, extra-padded with diapers).

It's January out. Kid appropriately garbed, so even more padding....

This kid is at the "fall down every 10-20 steps" phase.

The snow complicates matters.

The first time I saw the kid go down in the (kinda crusty 3-4" of) snow, it took many attempts to get back up.

The "feet and hands flat on the ground" opening was used, and, with snow obstructing any movement of those feet, getting *up* required modification of the usual plan.

Eventually weight was shifted back far enough on to the feet that the kid was able to stand up.

Knowing the kid wasn't hurt or in trouble, I could smile.

I don't miss those days...............

Kudos to the kid's mom for not stepping in. I'm sure the kid learned more by doing it alone (and wasn't unhappy, as far as I could tell).

Did I mention that Mom was tidily managing the dog and the somewhat older kid as well as this toddler?



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