First Free-Range Children Fear

One of my fears of giving Camille more independence is that she doesn’t “pay attention.” And yesterday that led us to a scary, difficult situation. In the end, all turned out fine, but it did highlight that she (and I) need to practice more.

If we are to go separate ways, it is not enough for me to tell her where to meet me. I must insist that she repeat it back. At want point do so many “preparations” take away from the independence that we are working towards?

Even then, I don’t know that I can yet trust her to “pay attention” to what is going on around her. No matter how many times I’ve said it, explained it to her, shown her, when her brain goes somewhere else, she forgets to “Pay attention.” I was hoping yesterday’s scare would be enough to “snap her out of it,” but it wasn’t.

I’m awfully frustrated.

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