What is it about motherhood that makes a congenital worry-wart grow 10 times bigger?
Since having kids, it seems I spend half my life talking the boys down from high walls, breaking up fights at home and stepping in when their antics get a bit too dare devilish.
Yet there are times when all I can do is stand by and watch their risk-taking ways – with my heart in my mouth.
As it’s a little chilly for swimming right now (if you live here, that is, tourists are not deterred), we’re making the most of Dubai’s park life. The city has wonderful parks – green, landscaped, clean and strewn with flowers and things to do, from train rides to trampolines.
One of my favourites is a smaller park near BB’s school that looks like this:
From lush golf courses to grassy parks, Dubai is surprisingly green
The landscaping, fountains and bridges are lovely and it’s set in the middle of a gated community of luxurious million-dirham villas, in which many of BB’s school friends actually live.
The only drawback – as is the case with most of Dubai’s parks and play areas – is it’s mainly nannies who watch the kids, so the chances of striking up a conversation with a like-minded mum are reduced. But that didn’t bother me today, as I imagined myself sitting on the grass with a book.
On arriving, however, we found a towering plastic inflatable slide, with various other 15dhs (£3)-a-pop rides, and I immediately knew my plans for an afternoon of wholesome, inexpensive fun were thwarted.
As BB clambered up the giant slide, I tried to close my ears to the deafening din of Bollywood music competing with ‘Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush’ coming from the helicopter ride opposite.
A couple of kids, supervised by a nanny with no teeth (I don’t mean that literally, I mean a timid, overworked nanny with little control over her charges), were climbing the wall of the slide and, thankful that BB wasn’t doing the same, I relaxed a little – until I saw what he was doing.
He was bouncing at the top of the slide to gain momentum, then took a flying jump, which I can only describe as a backward flip with a twist – landing half-way down the slide on his head with an audible jolt.
“BB NO,” I roared, far too late. I was honestly scared he could have broken his neck. Didn’t bother him, of course. He simply sprung up at the bottom with a massive grin on his face and an expression that said, “Mummy, look at me!”
Boys – they’re not for the fainted hearted – and I know I just have to get used to it, because the day will come when they’ll want flying lessons.
PICTURE CREDIT: CollectAir
I know just how you feel. Skiing with Littleboy 1 was exactly like that – and the worst thing was, I wasn’t brave enough to go as fast as him to catch him up!
Amazed to hear it was too cold to swim – you must have gone soft!
oh yes, we’re very wimpish now when it comes to cold water! But also, because there’s so much of the year when all you can do is swim (and shop!), it’s actually really nice to have a break from the pool! Hope you had a great trip – it sounded lovely. I bet the boys will grow up to be fantastic skiers. Happy New Year! xox