Monday, July 13, 2009

The Worst/Best Parent Ever??

So here's my side of the story. We decided to go up to Big Bear on Saturday to ride the Alpine Slide. Looking online we remembered they had a waterslide and we told the girls they could ride. Amelia took this plan that wasn't really meant for her and went laser focused with it. She couldn't talk about anything else, she stripped down to her "skin sweater" (thanks Hannah Montana for that one) to put her suit on immediately even though the instructions were to pack a suit, and she wanted to skip lunch so she could get on the waterslide quicker. So we get up there and upon a bit of research find out a) only single riders, no matter age & b) Jason couldn't go down first and wait at the bottom to catch her. But the lifeguard did offer a solution. 1) She could wear a life vest and 2) he (the lifeguard) would wait at the bottom and catch her.
So what would you do?
I explained all this to Millie and also told her how fast and scary it was, but she was not deterred. So I figure it comes down to one simple word:
TRAUMA
Either way, it's coming. Trauma from the waterslide that she is begging to go on but is clearly above her pay grade; or trauma from not being allowed to go down the slide that she has been talking about all day and will continue to talk about all day.
There Will Be Tears!
So even though Jason stated for the record that he did not agree with my decision (& I bet Andra wouldn't either), I let Amelia go down the slide. She did hesitate a few moments at the top but when she saw a boy her age go down she went for it. I was waiting at the bottom and, to be completely honest, she came down screaming. She came out of the water crying. People were watching. People were judging. But she calmed down quickly and complained only about the water getting in her eyes. So we made a plan, when she is 3 she will go down again with goggles. No nightmares, no trauma-induced bed wetting, and no plans to never go down a waterslide again, although only time will tell if this is indeed true.
It doesn't look that bad. right? (Shout out to 4 year Hailey who was so brave, she went on it over and over!)
Elli had to ride the lift by herself, my big girl!
At least we weren't the parents (dad) that went too fast and went over the side of the alpine slide and ended up with a face full of road rash on his little boy.
Our speed racers (& cute Cara in the back)

5 comments:

Grandma Joyce said...

It is so great that you do stuff like that together. I love it! Congratulations, Millie Girl!!!

Kyli said...

We had so much fun!! What is the next fun weekend activity? Keep them coming!

Amanda Weir said...

Sorry but I was totally laughing. I can see her cute little face now. Looks like you guys had a great time.

Debbi said...

You get my vote for great parent!!!

AnnieB said...

my vote is great parent for sure. I would've done the same thing. If the lifeguard said you could, there really wasn't a choice. She wanted to do it! I make my kids do scary stuff when they don't want to do it...i think that's worse! Loving seeing what you're up to. Wish we could've spent more time together over the 4th. Always fun to see you guys!