Exploring Provence

After a few minor setbacks (snow, and sickness), we finally resume our Sunday outings.
The sea, sunshine, Provence, a couple of baguettes... what could be nicer, right?

Unfortunately, despite his initial enthusiasm for the expedition, BB quickly loses heart.
See, Provence is almost always sunny... but there's a good reason for that. And that reason is: wind. Ah, those bracing gusts that chase the clouds away... and drive BB loudly, unconsolably, relentlessly crazy.
"Go home!" he screams, as his parents try stoically to eat cheese sandwiches in the wind.
Finally, scared that his howls are disturbing folks within a 10-km radius, we give in and let him sulk in the car.
In an (uncharacteristic?) outpouring of parental frustration, FH snaps: "Next weekend, you can bloody well sit in front of the TV all day and eat bread!"
(bread is BB's staple diet).
The desired effect is not obtained, however, as BB merely nods enthusuastically at this prospect.

So it makes me wonder: why are we forcing our kids to get out and "have a good time"?
Who's really having fun here?
The answer, of course, is that we're probably doing it for our own benefit. Or because we misguidedly assume that our children will enjoy the same activities as we do.



On the way home, in the stoney silence that follows our most recent exchange of viewpoints (me: "you don't know how lucky you are! I had to grow up in England, you know! It was way colder than this!"; BB: "Wah!!"), I wonder whether we should take account of his opinion a little more. Like, maybe sacrifice our desire to "get out", let him play at home instead, watch his way through a few DVDs.

Then I think no. No, no, no. I'm the parent now. I get to decide how we have fun: surely that's one of the perks?
I nod at FH and he smiles a forced smile, without humour.
An understanding passes between us.
We WILL pursue. We will teach this kid to have fun - our kind of fun! - if it kills us!
And if he never gets it, well... well, then at least he'll have something to rebel against in 15 years time!