Helicopter mom

I've taken Caleb to the new playground the past couple of days after I pick him up from school. Yesterday we went just for fun and today we went for Physical Therapy. I don't get sad about Caleb very often, God had blessed me with such a peace...but I've gotten sad the past couple of days. I love this new playground, it is wonderful watching Caleb have the freedom to move around on the equipment, I know that he is having a lot of fun. But I feel like such a "helicopter mom", I hover around him the whole time because I'm worried he is going to run some kid over with his wheelchair or that he is going to fall forward in his chair (it's happened before). I look around at all these other moms and none of them are on the play equipment with their kids. The other moms are chatting with one another, enjoying adult conversation. They aren't hovering around their kids like I am. I'm envious.

Caleb has such an independence in his wheelchair and he is confident. I love seeing that in him. I love that he says "hi" to all the other kids on the playground. I was so touched yesterday when this boy Caleb's age came up to him and talked to him. It was so cute watching these two boys talk to each other. Caleb really enjoyed it and it meant a lot to me that this boy wanted to play with Caleb. Most kids look at Caleb like he is an alien and then they walk away. I don't blame them, kids are very honest in their reaction and Caleb may be the first kid they have ever seen in a wheelchair. It's just hard sometimes. But then I look at Caleb and he is just having fun, being a kid. He isn't sad, he's smiling and enjoying the time outside. I'm allowing myself to be sad today, it's ok to be sad sometimes. I know many of you can relate and that is why I have shared this.

Here is a video of him walking today at the park. He is doing so great. He works so hard, even when he doesn't really want to. I love that boy.