I think I've learned my lesson. I keep trying to bring Johan lots of fun places where he will see and experience new and exciting things. And it keeps being a bust.
A few weeks ago, we went to the Minnesota Zoo. Otters, tigers, camels, monkeys, baby farm animals. Johan's favorite part was the french fries we had for lunch on the way home.
Today was the May Day Parade- a Minneapolis institution. Wonderful puppetry; anarchists on tall bicycles; anti-capitalist floats celebrating life. While Johan enjoyed the drums and other music, I think he had more fun playing with his red kickball in the yard before we left.
Where is the balance between exposing your kid to culture and new things and letting your kid just run around in the yard to his heart's content? I think it's the line between the zoo and May Day. I only brought Johan to the zoo because I thought he would like it. However, we went to the May Day parade because it's something that I really enjoy and because I think it's a wonderful community event. Hence, animal-viewing only for toddler's benefit/enjoyment: NO. Child-friendly community parade that is both visually pleasing and in line with our morals: YES.
Sure, we'll try the zoo again in a few years- once Johan is old enough to enjoy the dolphin show and appreciate viewing animals in a replica of their natural habitat. And we'll certainly be at next year's May Day parade. I do think, though, that we will try to spend most of our weekends this summer just playing. Because that's what Johan likes to do.
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