Jack -- The kid who was once scared of everything

What a difference a year makes. I brought Jack to this playground in Baker Park about a year ago and, although he wanted to climb on the big play set, he stopped himself because he was scared. Yesterday, he ran right up to this spider looking thing and climbed away. He was still cautious and careful but, he did it and he loved it; repeatedly.



Earlier this summer Jack was scared of "big boy" swings. But he did this yesterday, he even moved his legs so he could go higher, not needing to be pushed:



What impressed me the most was when his bottom slid off the seat but he was still holding the chains thus suspending him in the air and pulling on his shoulders. It hurt and he cried but he got right back on the swing. He didn't let falling off bother him to prevent him from having fun.

I heard that there are 1500 stranger abductions per year in America. I'm totally absolutely convinced that if I'm not dutifully diligent of watching my kid (now kids) in public places, especially play grounds, my child will be kidnapped. I am suspicious of everyone; even other mothers. I get so paranoid that I will stop Jack from having fun and pack up and go home . There is no reason for anyone without children to be at a playground; there are other parts of the park to be enjoyed. So yesterday when I watched a man stroll into the playground area without a child with no obvious reason to be there but to use the water fountain, I was ready to call the police on him.