An Unusual Month
Looking back on this month, I realise we’ve done so much! February is already the shortest month of the year, but it’s been so packed that it’s really flown by!
We’ve gone on our first big family trip: we’ve flown all the way to Thailand for a dear friend’s wedding and tried to experience a great many things in a short time. It’s incredible how much preparation went into it, and looking back, it feels like time flew by! That said, I think in future, we’ll make sure that our trips have more down time for our little ones to be able to process everything.
We’ve also continued to learn a lot about our little one’s limits and our direction in parenting.
Our Adventures
Thailand
This must be our biggest family adventure to date! We travelled to Bangkok to celebrate a friend’s wedding (she also happens to be J’s godmother) and we decided to make it a family holiday. Our first trip abroad since J’s birth.
The trip duration was 10 days, of which one day was a travel day. We first spent some time in Bangkok (and just outside of it), where the wedding was to take place. We visited Maeklong Railway Market, Damoen Saduak floating market, we attended our friends’ wedding (where A had the honour of fulfilling the role of ring bearer), we had a private tour in Bangkok, then caught up with some school friends. Then we travelled with the newly-weds and some other friends and family members to a resort at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya, with a stop at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on the way. Although we mostly spent time at the pool and the beach, we also booked a morning at an elephant sanctuary that we very much enjoyed.
A new bed!
Upon our return we felt the jetlag heavily. We also had to find a routine again and rest (a lot) before everything started to return to normal again.
That said, we’d had a big change in sleeping arranngements just a week or two before our departure to Thailand: A had decided (entirely on his own) that he wanted to sleep in his own bed in his room. We had been bed-sharing / co-sleeping before this. We never felt it was right to push him out, especially with the arrival of J.
But one evening he simply decided he wanted to sleep in his own little bed, in his own room. We encouraged this by being positive about it (not overdoing it!), and we had ordered him a new bed (as he likes us to be by his side/cuddling him as he falls asleep). This arrived just a couple of days after our return and A loved it! Needless to say, his new bed is a new cosy corner and he enjoys it!
Reflections of a Parent
In Montessori we talk about the four planes of development, and how the first and third planes have a lot in common. I truly feel like I’m seeing this these past 2 weeks. A is clearly trying to find his way socially, assert himself and learn to navigate limits and boundaries. While this may not be something that teenagers will like to hear, toddlers are a little like them in many regards (on a different level, of course). While I knew this in theory, I have been experiencing it for real, now.
When I look back at the month I really see we’ve had beautiful moments and the tougher ones really have been a learning curve. I’ve also realised that there’s parenting in theory, and then there’s parenting in real life. Sometimes they align well, sometimes you have to get creative, and be *really* patient.
I’ve also become increasingly aware of generational patterns that resurface. So I continue to do the work and have compassion for myself and my toddler. And I have noticed the work pays off.
I have seen again and again that even when he’s at his most upset, he listens to everything I say and remembers it. This is a reminder to be kind and loving. Words are extremely powerful. Sometimes it is better to say nothing than to say something that will hurt. Even more so when it is to a little one who looks for you for guidance, protection and love.
Concluding Thoughts
This has definitely been an exciting, and intense (!) month! We’re still working on many things, espcially how to manage strong feelings (both parents and toddler), but I know we’ll figure it out.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @littlemontessoribears, where you’ll get to have a continuous peek of our adventures!
Would you like more out of this blog series? I’m inviting you to join “The Audio Diary“, a private podcast, in which you can have an exclusive look, week-by-week for an entire year, into how a Montessori expert and mother navigates creating intentional spaces for baby, integrating Maria Montessori’s philosophy, while experiencing normal parenting challenges.
