Fear Of Missing Out

Anyone who grew up in Perth probably remembers going to Scitech for school excursions.  I remember heading into the city on a bus, the big dome on top of the building, escalators (quite exciting for a country girl) and that's before you even get to the exhibitions - things to climb, things to smell, things to touch. 

On Thursday when my sister reversed out of the driveway, taking Miss 2 to toddlerfest at Scitech, I suffered from FOMO.  It's of course not that I wanted to worry about parking and lining up with crowds of toddlers and their stressed parents.  I am hugely grateful to have missed that. What I wanted was to see my daughter having a super-fun time as she discovered new things. That moment when she realises that she presses a button and the lights come on or she jumps on a square and the music starts.  The sense of accomplishment that shows on her face when she realises she's achieved something is just delightful. That's what I wanted to see.

However, on this occasion I was at home rocking the babies and Miss 2 was out with aunty Claire.  I felt like such a mum as I put together all her things - change of clothes, wipes, waterbottle, healthy biscuits, piece of fruit.  I printed out their tickets, instructed Claire on how to do up the car seat and waved goodbye.  Not with a sense of worry at all, just a bit of sadness that I wasn't going with them.

A few hours later, though, when Miss 2 burst through the door with fits of excitement trying to tell me everything she had seen as much as a two and a bit year old can, everything was ok. "Moon! Bubbles! Balls! Car!"  I wasn't there at the time but I certainly still got to enjoy seeing how happy she was about it all.  Now when I see her playing with the toy she got on the way out (that's what aunties are for), I have the memory of her excitement when she got home.  It might not be the same as being there but it's still pretty good.  Plus I remember that she was exhausted and had the best afternoon nap she's had in ages.  A good day for all.