Autonomy

by Jim

They are moving out on their own. Face intent, legs wobbling, up in the air on the balance beam - without anyone telling them anything. They derive pleasure from doing each movement better - upside down, back arched more than seemingly possible (from a 40's standpoint). They swing round the uneven bars, I worried that a slip will mean a broken neck, they wondering if the maneuver was more perfect than the last for the audience.

They have not needed any leading or coercion, they just plain love moving their bodies around in gymnastics. They can now occasionally do a handstand longer than I can. I suppose surpassing your parents in any skill is a lot of fun.

At school functions, they don't always hang on to us now, but go their own way, play and chat with friends. One school picnic, I found them, finally, up on a hill chatting alone with one guy. (Now, I'm not paranoid of the coming teenage years, am I?) Each day brings greater independence from us, which as a parent has its pros and it's cons.