5 Reasons I Taught my Daughter to Jump in Puddles

When my daughter was a toddler, we would jump in puddles every time it rained. Some people thought I was crazy. They were busy trying to keep their children out of the puddles with the misguided conception that they would get sick from getting their feet wet.

I was a bad example!

I was obviously not trying to make my daughter ill. I’m not even certain that I was intentionally attempting to teach her something, but there are some things I hope I planted the seeds of during those rainy days.

1. It’s okay to do something for pure enjoyment. Not everything has to be work. There doesn’t have to be a greater reason for everything you do. You’re allowed to just have fun.

2. You don’t have to see things the same way as other people. Just because other people considered jumping in a puddle to be taboo or ill-advised doesn’t mean it is. You don’t have to have the same view as others regarding anything. You are allowed to feel the way you feel.

3. Getting your feet wet is okay. You’re allowed to try new things. You don’t have to be afraid of trying things you have never tried before. Go ahead and try them, you may enjoy them!

4. Share your joyful moments. It was wonderful to have moments of pure joy and abandon with my daughter. I still remember the huge grin on her face and how hard she would jump in the puddles to get the maximum splash. She left me with great memories and doesn’t even realize it.

5. Joy knows no age limits. By jumping in puddles with her, I showed her that it you can enjoy simple things no matter your age. I wasn’t yet 30, but that was an enormous difference from her age. She saw that grown-ups aren’t just serious and rule-makers. They can let loose, too!

I was not overtly trying to teach her these lessons. We were having fun! I am a firm believer in learning lessons from fun times. I taught in daycare for over 10 years, and we were all about teaching children through fun activities.

She says she doesn’t remember jumping in puddles as a toddler, but she does remember once she went to school. I never have stopped her and never would. She’s 21 now, and I would still never give her a look for jumping in a puddle. You’re never too old for joy!

Go for it! The next time it rains, go jump in a puddle!

If you enjoyed this post, please click the little heart to recommend it to others! Thank you!