When I am alone with my 7 children in a crowded place like shopping malls and pools, I am counting, always. Now that I have much older children, I am still counting. We had a few scares in our parenting journey. Off hand, I remember leaving behind our 6th child at a shoe shop while the rest of us headed off to the car park to go home. Scary. And that was at a very familiar shopping centre.
As I sat and drafted out this post by the poolside of Batam Harris*, watching the 4 younger ones at the swimming pool, I was counting, especially when they chose to split into 2 groups – 3 who are water safe and 1 who is not. Yes, I still keep a lookout for those who know how to swim.
I guess that’s why mothers tend to be more tired than fathers. We’re always on alert. Even while on holiday.
I remember a few years back when the extended family decided to go up to Genting Highlands for a vacation. There were 10 kids, aged 12 to 1. Thankfully, there were 6 adults but still, I was always counting. And always looking around making sure that we did not leave anyone behind. I was tired after that trip. 🙁
I guess that’s why this post resonated with me.
http://amotherfarfromhome.com/hypervigilance-why-moms-are-so-tired/
* We were at Batam Harris, for the Bartley Church Zone Camp. A full report of the camp can be found at Awakening Event : Bartley Christian Church Zone Camp 12-14 June 2015.