Today, Gabriel decided he absolutely could not cross a field on foot. He wanted to be carried.
The reason? Nettles.
To hear him tell it, we were not dealing with a few plants beside the path. We were facing a threat serious enough to require immediate transport in Mummy’s arms.
When a child wants to be carried and your arms are already full
So I carried him.
His little sister was already asleep in the baby carrier and, this time, I decided he could at least contribute to the effort.
The deal was accepted immediately.
For the next few minutes, he clung to me making the most ridiculous monkey noises possible while I crossed the field with one child in my arms and another asleep against me.
And instead of having a little boy complaining that he did not want to walk and a mum starting to find the journey rather long, we were both laughing.
Probably the best negotiation of my week.
Gentle parenting does not mean saying yes to every request while never asking anything in return. We can say yes and still look for a compromise that works for us too.
We can help without necessarily taking over everything. And sometimes cooperation simply means being the monkey for five minutes.
That day, I carried him across the field.
But the entertainment was his responsibility.
