On Getting Distance

After the long months (or was it years?) of being cooped up during the pandemic, simply getting to roam free in the world again was thrilling.  I remember how, finally being out in wide open spaces essential for boy energy, my favourite thing to say to my sons was “run on ahead.”  It’s a line I’m sure many parents relish deploying whenever they can; the subtext is of course closer to something my Scottish grandmother might have said: “get the fuck.”  But saying it feels good for good reason.  When it comes to parenting, getting distance is a really good metaphor for, well… getting distance.