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Jennie Peabody Rhoads's avatar

“what is parenting if not an attempt to rectify past trauma?” This! Thank you for articulating so much I experience(d) as well. I’m imagining us in a parallel universe as mother friends parenting kids at/through same ages. 🩷

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Caitlin Kindervatter-Clark's avatar

Aw I love that! But it’s also good this way so you can give me some perspective 😂

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Haven Casaday's avatar

I love this! I remember when Beckett first started learning how to swim. It was absolutely terrifying and amazing to watch all at the same time.

My grandparents had a pool and I don’t remember actually “learning” how to swim. In fact, I remember more about the parents just having an afternoon social hour while we (cousins included) just tried NOT to drown. I also distinctly remember somehow watching Jaws way, way, way too early in childhood and being absolutely SURE that a huge great white would eventually chomp me in the deep end!

Beautifully written. ❤️

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Susan Carpenter's avatar

Oops. there is no end to the fun they can have in a simple pool of water

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Susan Carpenter's avatar

Thank you, Caitlin, for this delightful story. It brought back memories of my own learning to swim as well as working with my kids when they were toddlers learning to get to the edge of the pool so they could move hand-over-hand to the shallow end steps and get out by themselves. Once E and J master the basics, there is no end to the fun they can in a simple pool of water.

Love to you and your family.

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Carol Gawle's avatar

As one who has been through many past traumas, both personally, then with my own children, and again with my grandchildren, I found this post extremely relatable. All your posts have been wonderfully insightful and openly personal. Although much about parenting has changed over my many years on this planet, one thing does not––the deep and loving desire of mothers to open up as much of the world and experiences as possible for their children. Thank you for this lovely post.

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Caitlin Kindervatter-Clark's avatar

Thank you so much! This is beautiful: “the deep and loving desire of mothers to open up as much of the world and experiences as possible for their children.” I’m sorry about all the traumas and hope you are all on the other side 💕

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Amy Moreno Sills's avatar

I love your stories! Excellent writing and takes me back to my kids younger years. 👏🏼

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Caitlin Kindervatter-Clark's avatar

Thanks! Love to you all!

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