kayak lesson. (Patreon)

auckland lockdown diary, day 83:

ash’s first kayak.

we got in the wee boat and i realized we’d left the snacks on shore so we went fatally sideways and got struck by a tiny wave.

everything, including ash, got soaked.

he then insisted he was never going kayaking again, ever. ever.

there was a complete temper tantrum while things were bailed and dried out.

i thought about not pressing it. he didn’t wanna. and i didn’t wanna be a nag.

but then i thought about the fact that he still won’t get on a goddamn bicycle, almost two years after falling off his first bike and breaking his finger in hawke’s bay. and i’ve just been lazy and keeping on the back of my bike in the baby seat. it’s getting ridiculous. he’s 6.

so i was like: “you are afraid, and that is legit, that wave was scary…and we are still doing this. get in.”

there may have been a candy bribe involved. i am an imperfect parent.

but i lured him back on the goddamn kayak and we had the ride of our lives. we kayaked to a secret island and did a shell treasure hunt and on the way back we talked about the scary waves and how ash had been very brave.

and he loved it. and he was proud.

i am glad i did not give up.

don’t give up, everyone. it’s scary.

i know.

you have your valid reasons.

but running away never really works and you miss out on all the love, and the times, and the beauty.

🌊♥️🙏🏼

afp