Sometimes, my parenting skills are questionable. On the first day of school, I packed Bambino up and we jumped on an airplane. I am a huge supporter of early education. I think that the first six years of a child’s life may be the most important in terms of cognitive development. I adore Bambino’s school and his teachers. But, adventure beckoned.

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about why we travel, and why we take il Bambino. In the word of  Neil deGrasse Tyson:

History shows that if you let people go where their curiosity takes them, great things unfold.

When I travel (whether near or far), my curiosity is sparked. I find myself chatting with strangers.  I ask questions.  I am reminded that I don’t know all the answers. I take chances. It’s an opportunity to learn and explore. I feel like a kid again. I love that feeling– and I want my son to understand the power of travel.

Travel also helps us shatter stereotypes and appreciate the cultural diversity that our world offers. While I love a good international ramble, these lessons can also be learned closer to home. For these reasons, I unapologetically boarded a plane on the first day of school.

Our destination also helped alleviate my parental guilt. We were headed to a city that is filled with history, cultural diversity, and beautiful green spaces. We were Boston-bound.

Boston is recognized as a kid-friendly place. However, many of its attractions appeal to older kids (and not to bouncing almost-four-year olds who like to pretend they are Brazilian soccer stars). The Freedom Trail and Fenway Park will wait for another time.

Here is what our preschool truant did (and learned) last week:

Sometimes, You Have To Face Your Fears.

Bambino has always loved splashing in a pool or at the beach– as long as his feet were firmly planted on the ground. However, if he was floating (even in a Coast Guard-approved safety device), he would panic. No amount of parental encouragement and love could calm his fears.

Our hotel (the highly-recommended Revere Boston Common) had a rooftop pool. On our first morning, we spent a lazy morning on the roofdeck and in the water. At first, he was afraid to leave the pool’s ladder. We (sometimes impatiently) reminded him that he had a lifevest on and we were by his side. Then, without further prompting, Bambino literally took a leap of faith. He spent the rest of the afternoon paddling around the pool.

 Sometimes, Bambino is fearless. Other times, he is frozen by anxiety and his fear of the unknown. While we try to teach him to self-regulate his anxiety, it’s hard for a little one. His leap into a big, deep pool taught him that some chances are worth taking. I hope he remembers this lesson and applies it elsewhere.

You Can Find Friends Anywhere.

We made a lot of friends on this trip. Bambino met an old high school friend of mine. He also made his own friendships.

The first were at the Boston Common’s Frog Pond. A magnificently large wading pool, he splashed and romped with a pack of wild, happy children. It was beautiful watching him interact with kids of many ages and backgrounds. One little girl (who was probably ten years old) patiently played an extended game of “hide and seek” with our little one. (It’s hard to hide in a wading pool) When we headed out, she begged us to bring him back later.

Watching his crew of newfound friends was a reminder that our world is filled with  thriving, vibrant places– as well as kind and open-minded people.

Our other friendship in Boston was less expected. We had given Bimbo the choice between a baseball game or a concert. Unsurprisingly, he chose the Gary Clark Jr. show. While we were wrapping up the night, we started chatting with a gentleman at the back of the venue. We mentioned that this was Bambino’s third Gary Clark Jr. show.

Our new friend told us that he was a photographer  and insisted on taking a shot of il Marito and Bambino. He then emailed me the photo and some other beautiful shots from the concert. (Check out the talented Stephen Atkinson’s website for more of his work.)

We did a lot of other cool stuff too. We met some ducklings.
 

Bambino slurped noodles in Chinatown.

He also inhaled a perfectly-cooked tagliatelle at the amazing Sportello. (His parents had one of their best Italian meals in the U.S. too. Seriously, if you’re in Boston, you must eat here.)

We met Cliff the Triceratops at the Museum of Science.

He experienced life as a bullfrog.

He enjoyed a harborside meal at Legal Sea Foods. (A mandatory stop in Boston.)

Then, we packed up our stuff and picked up my Zia and Zio at the airport. Next stop, Cape Cod.