confession of a new mom - #3

It's been a while since I've done one of these, but don't think that it's been a while since I've learned something new about being a mom. Those lessons are daily, and sometimes hourly.

Tonight as I was giving Becca a bath, she began splashing water.
Now, this isn't the first time she's done this. She has been splashing for a while, but nothing like this. This was like a tsunami in the bathtub. You know the kind where you end up just as wet as she is?
My first instinct was to stop her. Correct her and tell her no.
But as I watched her, I couldn't help but smile.
She was having so much fun!
The look on her face was priceless.
Then I began questioning myself - why would I stop her?
The only answer I could come up with is because you're just not supposed to splash in the bathtub.
I started weighing the pros and cons. She was playing, having fun, and not hurting anything or anyone. The only con, if you can call it that, is that she was getting some water on the floor.
I decided at that moment that while some people may think this behavior is totally inappropriate, I don't think there's anything wrong with it.
It took me an extra 5 seconds (literally) to dry up the water on the floor.

I think sometimes we get so caught up in constantly telling our children no, that we forget to let them be children.
Now don't get me wrong. I don't want Becca to grow up and be some unruly child that no one can stand to be around, but I highly doubt that by allowing her to splash and play in the tub, she is headed down the road to prison.

So my lesson for myself is to really think about discipline. Don't enforce rules just because it's the thing to do. Think and make decisions for my family - ones that allow us to be safe, respectful, and happy!