Lygia Navarro reflects on an evolving journey of raising her child in bustling Toronto, contrasting her unrestricted childhood with the boundaries set for her 10-year-old today. The story unfolds with her as a mother grappling with modern parenting challenges.
Navarro reminisces about the freedom she had during her childhood, where she roamed the streets of Berkeley at a young age. While she started walking alone by age eight, times have changed, and her parenting style reflects this shift. She shares an anecdote of discovering an old letter from her sister, describing adventures on bikes and the freedoms they enjoyed. In stark contrast, her 10-year-old is not allowed to leave the house unsupervised, mainly due to concerns about the child’s readiness and safety in a high-traffic neighborhood.
Moving to Toronto made Navarro hopeful her child would grow to be one of the independent, street-smart kids commuting unsupervised she often saw. However, the reality of their living situation, close to a busy intersection with reckless drivers, coupled with her personal experiences, including long COVID affecting her mobility, has led to erring on the side of caution.
Navarro recalls feeling unprotected in her youth despite the freedom, facing unwanted attention and fear while navigating public spaces. Now, as a mother, she is grateful for the chance to be more present in her child’s life, providing support and fostering independence in other ways. Her child, despite restrictions, enjoys freedoms she never had—preparing simple meals, managing their small business ventures, and handling household responsibilities like online shopping.
As parents, Navarro and her husband focus on equipping their child for future challenges in a big city. They emphasize self-defense skills, the importance of consent, and practical safety knowledge. Recognizing their child’s identity as an Afro-Latine will present unique challenges, they are adamant about teaching resilience and self-reliance early on.
While they can’t currently relocate due to job constraints, they adapt their methods to instill independence within safe boundaries, hoping for a future where their child can explore more freely. Homeschooling offers them flexibility, allowing the child to learn at their own pace, which they believe will lay a strong foundation for adulthood.
Lygia Navarro’s story of parenting in a modern world shows the balance between nurturing independence and ensuring safety. Despite current limitations, she remains committed to preparing her child for the world, instilling the values and skills necessary for future autonomy.
Source: Yahoo
