May 2003

My slinging days are numbered. “What? You’re still slinging Stephen?” I can hear a number of you say. Yes, he’s been a sling baby for more than three years, from the time I learned to use a sling when he was around six months old until now at a month past four years old. He’s been in a sling over many miles and minutes, day after day.

Not today. For at least 90% of the time we were out from 10 am to 3 pm, Stephen walked. From home to bus stop, all around the London Natural History and Science Museums, from the Tube station to the bookstore, supermarket, back to the bus stop, then home most of the way after getting off the bus. I brought the sling, but never took it out of my bag.

Sure, I had to coax him along a few times. Mostly, he was darting around happily going from one place to the next. Four is turning out to be a turning point for Stephen in many ways. In ten days, he starts full-day school from 8:50 am to 3:15 pm, lunch included.

I hope we’re both ready. I think we are.