Age appropriate pressure

Madi is now twelve years old and still loves watching The Wiggles. She knows all the words and moves to every Wiggles song. Her one and only favourite toy to play with is a mini-Emma doll. Most nights she will sit next to me on the couch and watch the Wiggles on her phone while I’m usually on my phone too watching tv.

Recently, we attended another live Wiggles show. Safe to say Madi was the oldest child there dressed up as her idol, Emma.

She was so excited leading up to it every time it was mentioned verbally preparing her. She independently decided on her yellow Wiggle outfit the night before and was on mission walking so fast to the venue.

The look on her face and reaction to the show was priceless.

Yes, Madi is 12 years old and yes, we just attended another Wiggles concert…

Thomas is turning ten this year and still loves playing imaginary games with his toys. He takes a selection of stuffed animals everywhere he goes for comfort and company and would much rather play with them than any kids at school.

The simplest things are also still the best. He will easily entertain himself with paper, pipe cleaners, bubbles or balloons.

He insists on continuing to ride a 3 wheeled scooter even when he gets frustrated that he can’t scoot as fast as other kids.

We’ll still join in on all their fun too riding our own scooters and skateboards, attending Wiggles concerts and playing whatever games they want to.

We can only expose and influence them so much.

How would you feel if you were constantly being forced out of your comfort zone to do things you didn’t want to do?

At the end of the day, we believe It’s their happiness that is what’s really most important. Not what we or society thinks they should be doing at their age.

You never know how interests may evolve or how happy and content they actually make them feel.

Interests and obsessions can transform into a variety of positives if nurtured and supported in the right way.

We will continue to encourage both kids to try and promote more age-appropriate activities but at the end of the day who cares?

As long as their happy, we are too!