Tonight is the first night of thunderstorms. I’m thrilled, because I sit on my porch to listen and watch as the storms unfold. As I type, I hear rumbles. I have always loved thunderstorms. Growing up in the Ohio River Valley, we had plenty. Summer camp was the best, because we were ‘there’ with the storms.
Through these storms as a child, I always felt brave and excited. I think they are the roots of, well, me.
Roots. That’s the foundation of who we are, and it all stems from childhood. The tricky part in today’s world is ‘wings’. Parents need to let go, let their child soar. Roots + Wings = a happy and strong person.
One of my very first blog posts ages ago tells the story of Roots, Wings, and Thunderstorms. It’s a keeper.
Roots, Wings… and Thunderstorms
Some years ago I was on my porch with my adult daughter watching the big thunderstorm rumble into our yard. We were both enjoying the anticipation as well as the storm itself. I asked my daughter what memories popped into her head whenever she heard a big storm. She replied, “Camp, of course! We had nothing else; no TV, no computer, just the outdoors. Thunderstorms were great!” Funny thing. This was the same experience with me as a child at camp.
We talked about exciting and adventurous experiences in our childhood, and about childhood itself. We analyzed why children feel the way they do, and what is it that ‘makes a difference’ when they grow up. One thing kept ringing loud and clear. Children who are given experiences that challenge them, who are encouraged to take a chance and ‘do it’, and who have the firm love and support of their family, seem to grow up with a good, strong sense of self. Roots and wings.
I think of the swings on the playground and ‘yelling’ commands with excitement when a child first learns to pump a swing. “Kick them out. Tuck them in. Pull. Yes, you can do it!” As children grow older, I think of opening the front door and letting my child ride his bike, alone, to the playground. Then, going to sleepover camp for a month, at age eight. My children begged to go, loved every minute of it, and I am convinced it was part of their foundation. Roots and wings.
I was the opposite of a helicopter parent. Friends were a little shocked to see my child roller-blading to school. He couldn’t quite tie the laces tight enough, so his first grade teacher helped him. They wondered if there was a ‘problem’ when my children went off to camp, and to prep school. My daughter went to Italy, alone, after college graduation. We’re talking speaking no Italian, as well.
After all of these different experiences, friends would then say, “Your children are so lucky to have these opportunities”. That was quite a change. I would smile and just say, “Roots and wings”. They had the roots, with plenty of love and support. Sometimes I felt brave and alone giving them the wings. That was the hard part. I’m so glad I did.
In my classroom, I approach each learning experience and activity, planned or unplanned, as an exciting opportunity. We are a family. We help each other, support each other, and encourage each other. We provide roots for each other with daily routine, tenderness, and a positive, fun attitude. We give each other wings when we learn how to write our name, pump a swing, stand in front of a group to talk, or try something new. Roots and wings.
Remember, it’s all the little experiences, over and over again, that we build upon. It’s not the big things that make a difference. Dancing with painted feet, coming to school at night and singing in the dark, shopping in a real Indian market, painting to classical music, setting up nap mats for other children, finding a new place on our big map with the magnifying glass, reading all the name cards without help….it is the culmination of all these activities, and many others, that make the difference.
I hope that in years to come, you and your child sit through a thunderstorm together, walk through the woods together, or sing in the dark together, and find it is an experience that is exciting. I hope that these stories from Aqua Room has helped you to give your child the experiences to feel a happy and confident sense of self. Roots and wings.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Jennie, the stories from the Aqua room help me as an adult.
Dan, that is profound, and actually the same way I feel. 🙂
Me too!
❤️
Such a great concept, roots and wings. I remember watching my daughter go over a fence taller that she on a 1500-pound horse and then keep doing it for an entire round of competition. Dangerous? yes. Did she love it? Very much. Was my heart in my throat? absolutely.
I’m with you all the way, John. I worry about the children who have not been allowed to spread their wings.
😊 She is now a manager with a major investment firm.
That’s wonderful, John. I know you are a proud parent. Root and wings.
I am. 😁
🙂
Our kids faced the world on their own, knowing that their parents were there when needed.
Because they had roots and wings. 🙂
What a beautiful post
Thank you, Beth.
That is such a beautiful thought and wish, Jennie. Hugs.
Thank you, Teagan. Mega hugs!
🖤🖤
Hi Jennie, I also enjoy thunderstorms but preferably not while traveling. A lovely reminiscence. I think helicopter parenting is a modern concept that’s come with increased threats to kids.
Hi Robbie. Honestly, I question if threats to kids have substantially increased. I think the news often makes it appear that way. It’s sad.
Yes, that is true
A super post. It is hard for parents to give their children wings but it is so necessary. I like to think I gave my children roots and wings and also showed by example that you can step out of your comfort circle.
Thank you, Darlene. I have no doubt you did that with your children. Just look at what your daughter does with her pottery. 🙂
💖😊
Roots and Wings. Jenny, I love your post and its message.
It is beautiful to hear your you describe the activities in school and memories from home.
Great post
Miriam
Thank you, Miriam.
Love this, Jennie. I remember reading it before 💛
I’m so glad! Many thanks, Ritu. 🥰
“Lovely post Jennie, and so right!
Thanks so much, FR!
My first memory of thunderstorms is a very humid night in London in the mid- 1950s. I sat at a window with my mum, watching the lightning, She told me to count the time between thunderclaps and lightning flashes, telling me that was how to tell when it was getting closer to the house.
I never knew if that was true, but I still do it now. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
It sounds like a lovely memory. I do the counting, too! 1,000, 2,000, 3,000… I think it is true. Best to you, Pete.
I have a huge smile on my face.
I’m so glad!
A lovely post, Jennie. My childhood was very different, as much of it was spent in the UK in World War 11. Luckily, Love was plentiful…and I was allowed to walk to school on my own, now and then, but not to play in the street. I learned about nature in our beautifully kept garden (Dad had very green fingers..) And then, suddenly, the world was at war and I was evacuated three times. The first, with two of my younger brothers, to a kind aunt in Wales, the second when my senior school was bombed and the whole caboodle high-tailed it to Derbyshire; the third to another part of Wales. I loved Wales, walking , dancing and the value of books and reading, They say that adversity makes you stronger, and I believe that to be true. With Dad serving in the Air Force and Mum in munitions, and being away so much, we learned to be more self-reliant, and treasured their letters. Luckily, all the teachers were kind and patient…and I had mixed feelings about snow and thunder-storms, as Wales had plenty! I can still recall how euphoric we all were when peace reigned and we were reunited – shaken and a bit stirred, but all of a piece! Cheers. xx
Thank you for sharing your childhood story, Joy. Children become resilient and strong when they are loved and cared for. Roots and wings. You are a shining example. 💕
Enjoy communing with the thunderstorms on your porch, Jennie.
I will, Laura!
Roots and wings is a perfect way to describe how we support our children’s development, Jennie. We love thunderstorms too.
Thank you, Norah. I’m with you on both counts.
💖
I love that title and concept of Roots and Wings, and I love Thunderstorms. Living in California most of my life I only heard them as a kid when camping in the mountains. I was more afraid of critters coming into camp while I slept under the stars. Often I would sleep under a picnic table if we had one at the site thinking that would offer me shelter from critters, but most the time I would move to the car and sleep there. My love of car-camping stemmed from those experiences I’m sure. 😀
This summer here in my new home in NV we’re having lots of Thunderstorms. I love them! I’m hoping to capture lightening on digital film this week as we have a week full of them predicted.
Our childhood experiences and memories stick with us for life. Thanks for sharing your story, Deborah. I can picture you camping in the mountains, afraid of the critters. I’m glad you are enjoying thunderstorms in NV. I always hope to capture a picture of lightning, but never do. Fingers crossed you get a photo.🤞
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here is another excellent post from Jennie, that wonderful teacher!
Thank you, Charles!
Hi Jennie, thank you for another wonderful post!
You are welcome, Charles!
It’s me again, Jennie. I am about to write my usual, weekly, column for the Costa Blanca Newspaper in Spain, on behalf of Writers’ Ink, for whom I chair at our monthly meetings. Having performed this simple task for seven years now, it is a tad difficult, at times, not to repeat myself…so ‘Roots and Wings’ has arrived as a ‘mind-saver’ if you’ll forgive me for stealing it…You will have ‘top billing’ naturally, and I’ll send you a copy when it`s finished. Hope that’s a deal?! Gracias xx
That is wonderful, Joy. Thank you. I’m so glad I was a ‘mind saver’. Please steal, and I would love a copy. 😀
Hi Jennie, Here’s a copy of the modest piece I wrote for next week’s column in the Costa Blanca newspaper. Thanks Jennie! Because of World War 11, I went to seven schools, which didn’t help my education as there were many differences in the curriculum and attitudes re teaching methods, etc., in Essex, Wales and Derbysire. Because of business, travel and bringing up three sons, I didn’t get my A level English Certificate until I was 66!! I am now 91 (where did that time go?!) and `’im indoors and I have been married 70 years. I know we are both very lucky! ‘Eric’ is now nearly 95, and shops, drives and cooks too, so is a wonderful ‘keeper…’ I’ve managed to have nine books published, and am awaiting for the 10th to be: The Dobrowski Portrait. It’s set in Poland and the UK during World War 11 and later, and follows the fate and bad/good fortune of the family members, with artistic, sassy grand-daughter Lettuce, the eventual focus. I also co-wrote a humouress book with my husband, and we wrote separate Memoirs, as we are both ‘wordy’ people and he has a retentive memory and does dozens of crosswords… I can thank my last teacher (A level) for much as he was a stickler for near-perfect writing and output. I studied Shakespeare’s Hamlet, many English poets and a few American writers, and we ‘acted’ Streetcar Named Desire, which was great fun.’ Bless you, Jennie, for being such a shining beacon to so many children!
My goodness, that is simply wonderful! You are a role model for learning, appreciating life, understanding what is truly important, and celebrating all that matters. Your 10th book will be a treasure. I want to be first in line to purchase the book. Bless you and Eric!
A wonderful and beautiful post, Jennie.
Thank you!
Welcome 🤗
A wonderful post, Jennie. My 92-year-old dad and I were talking about this last week. It’s a wonderful gift that adults and families can give to their young ones. Hugs.
Thank you, Diana. I can picture you and your dad having this conversation. It really is a gift.
At 92, he’s reflecting on his life and some of the mistakes he made. We talked a lot about the role of families to be our sturdy roots and support us as we make mistakes while finding our wings.
Wonderful! I hope you are writing down his stories.
He’s about 2,000 pages into his autobiography. 🙂
Wonderful!!!
Lol. I’m grateful but what an editing job!
🙂
Such a beautiful post Jennie. That’s what you are for so many kids, their roots and first steps into the world, and you give them lift off. You are a gift to these children. ❤
Thank you for your kind words, Debby. It’s what I love to do.❤️
And it shows in all you do. ❤
🥰
My doctor just returned from a national conference where he heard a pediatric orthopedist lament children’s lack of free play. He said that kids are failing to fully develop their capacity to use all of their bodies. He said previous benchmarks such as throwing a ball to measure development no longer work. What a sad outcome of clipping those wings.
Wings are so difficult!
That’s really the hard part!
Nice
Thank you.
I love the sound, smell, stimulating sight, and feel of summer thunderstorms as well. I think they awaken essential rhythms in us that lie dormant through the doldrums of daily life. I’m so grateful we still have this treasured connection to our collective origins!
Well said.
Awesome!❤️
Thank you!