Diving In Without Me

     We were having a fun family afternoon at the pool when I missed it.  My three year old needed to use the restroom, so we were out of the pool area for a few minutes.  As we reentered the area, I noticed my six year old was standing by the diving boards.

     I thought to myself, “Is she really going to jump?”

     As I got closer to the diving area, I asked my husband, “Is she really going to do it?”

     “She already did,” he replied.

      Huh?  What? Excuse me?

      It was true.  He let my firstborn jump off the diving board for the first time while I wasn’t there to see it!  Who knew a bag of M&Ms could inspire such bravery!

     I did the only thing I could do and sighed before watching her second jump from the diving board.  I smiled and told her how proud I was of her.

     Before becoming a mom, I would have never imagined that someone could be so sentimental about a child jumping off a diving board, yet, I was.

     I suppose it is a little silly.  However, I can’t help but think of it as yet another reminder that she won’t always need me by her side to help her do things.  Eventually (I hope), she won’t need a little bribe either.  And that’s just as it should be, even if it makes this mama a little sad. I suppose it beats the alternative of my kids living with me forever, right?