5 Months With Freya

Lessons Learned from a Toddler

From late March to mid August of this year I had the opportunity to care for my 2 year old granddaughter, Freya. While COVID had been going strong on both the East and West coasts for a couple of months, it arrived later, similarly to fashion trends and high speed internet, to Indiana. By the end of March, COVID had reached the midwest and poo filled the diaper. Not just filled it, but blew out the sides and top. We Stayed In Place and all but essential businesses shut down, including day care centers. While my son, Andy, was still going to work, my daughter-in-Law, Rachel, was working from home. As many of you with babies and young children have found out, you cannot work 8 hours a day and watch a toddler at the same time. And stay sane. Or have one or both suffer. That’s where this story begins.

Andy and Rachel asked if I could take care of Freya the last week in March. Sure, my in-home consultations and installations were cancelled, and anything I was currently working on could be put on hold. Over the course of five months,  I had spent 13 weeks in a suburb of Louisville, 3 hours from home taking care of, and learning from, my granddaughter. These are some of the things I learned: 

Notice and Appreciate the Small Things

Getting ready to go the first time, I was getting a little nervous as I am a “few” years removed from caring for toddlers. What were we going to do all day? Freya’s two year old curiosity took care of that. Almost every day we’d go for a walk. I’d prefer her in the stroller so I could walk fast or run, but the days she insisted on walking along side me, with stroller at the ready, were the days we noticed butterflies, bumblebees, ants, birds and the intricacies of cracks in the sidewalk. On the days we baked, she learned “hands on” the difference in textures between sugar and flour and what happens when you mix the two with other ingredients. It’s important to slow down and notice the things around us. 

I would have walked past this raised bed, but Freya noticed the cracks in the dirt and sat down to investigate.

Baking was hands on learning! We took our time so she could focus on each ingredient and the changes in texture.

Take Your Time (Sometimes You Fall)

Over the course of the summer, she learned to run. She liked to run fast! When she paid attention and watched where she was going, all was well. If she got distracted she’d fall, often resulting in tears and skinned knees. She’d then get upset if we had to stop playing to go inside to clean up the injury.  Isn’t that hold true for adults as well? If we pay attention to what we are doing all goes well. Trying to do too many things at once or getting distracted can result in a “fall” and we then have to stop to “clean up”, and sometimes there are tears. 

Freya had a few mishaps going up or down the step next to her.

She liked to run through this garden. The mulch was much more forgiving than concrete.

Nap Time is Important

I was still getting used to the daily routine during the first couple of weeks.. Many times Freya would get upset about the smallest of things or became clumsy (see above paragraph on falling) early to mid afternoon. I learned to watch for small cues from her to know when she was ready for a nap. Although she’d often resist, she’d snuggle with me to read stories and she’d soon be asleep. Knowing when to take a break is important as adults too. Days off, vacations, or even 10-15 minutes during the day can help refresh us.  

Nap time is an important part of the day!

Haven’t we all had days where we felt like this?

It’s OK to Eat a Cookie for Breakfast (occasionally)

I’m glad Rachel was nearby the day Freya asked for a cookie for breakfast. I wasn’t sure if she was testing to see how much of a push over I was or if this was really ok. Rachel and I went over what Freya had had to eat the day before (eggs, cheese, a green pepper, apple with peanut butter and a bowl of ham and rice) and determined that yes, a cookie for breakfast would be alright. It’s good to have routines and balance in our lives, but it’s also good to indulge yourself and break up the routine occasionally. 

Freya loved her first ear of Indiana sweet corn! She eats a wide variety of foods.

Snack time during the summer was usually a popsicle. Sometimes she asked for green pepper pieces.

Enjoying a snack outside.

Laugh and be Silly 

Taking care of a toddler is serious business, she really kept me on my toes! But we also had fun while doing the most simple things. Playing in a sink filled with soapy water. Putting her pants on our heads pretending they were hats. I was reminded how much fun it is to draw in pea gravel, have a tea party with toy cups, splashing in puddles after a rain, and blowing bubbles. We can find joy in the simple things in life. 

The rain sometimes cancelled our walks, but Freya discovered puddles were fun too!

We'd have tea parties outside and put different things in the water to see if they would float.

She liked having a turn at "washing dishes". Pouring out bubbles and squeezing a sponge.

Grateful

Although it wasn’t always easy: being away from my husband, living in a small apartment with two other adults and a toddler, and maintaining my business remotely, I am very thankful and appreciative for the time I spent with my granddaughter. I watched her grow so much physically and developmentally during this 5 month period and I learned a lot too. Thank you Andy and Rachel for entrusting the care of your daughter to me. 

I Couldn't bring my workroom with me, but I still managed to sew on a portable machine. Freya helped me make masks for family and friends.

Trying on masks to check for fit. Freya personalized hers.

She had fun playing with my old color deck while I organize my new one.

Take care and Be kind-

Until next time,

Laura