Just Do it!

Now that Ariel is almost 18 months, we decided that it's perhaps time for her to make some new friends. While many parents who are close to home will not have problems arranging for playdates, we had to make an extra effort to expand our social circle when we're here all alone.

We are in the midst of looking for a childcare center where Ariel can go (for a few days a week) but am really disappointed to learn that to get a place in a decent childcare, we might actually need to start booking a year in advance!!

So, desperate for friends (both myself and Ariel), we decided to go to a Chinese Community Church. Although the worship service was not of perfect timing as it clashes with Ariel's lunch-time, and eats into her naptime, I was really desperate and decided to Just Do It! Of course, I was expecting a cranky toddler who probably could not even sit through the hour-long sermon, not to talk about having time for fellowship?!!

Well, surprisingly, it all turned out a lot better than I expected. We brought along some of her books and quiet toys to keep her occupied during the sermon. She did get cranky after the sermon ended, and that's where we had to bring her out for a while. She had a major meltdown when we stayed for fellowship, and I was really contemplating heading for home immediately. But luckily, the kids of Sunday school came to the rescue just in the nick of time.

I was really surprised that Ariel stopped crying, and was really thrilled to see the other kids (and a baby)!! She didn't mind being in the midst of it all, when the older kids run past her; she enjoyed chasing daddy around the basketball court.

All in all, everything turned out well, and we had great fellowship. Ariel was way past her naptime, and fell asleep once we hit the car. But we're glad that we had persevered and had not given in to her crankiness.

In conclusion, I would think that kids in general, are very adaptable. As first-time parents, we are sometimes afraid of meltdowns in public, or kids crying themselves out in public. Quite contrary to what we think about how others will shake their heads in disapproval, many people (especially parents) will understand, and at the end of it all, these crying episodes will be forgotten, even by kids themselves..

P.S. Forgot to mention that I did decide to give Ariel her lunch earlier, before we go. A 'full' baby CAN be a sleepy baby; but a hungry baby is DEFINITELY an angry baby!