Taking Down the Boundaries

This week we began removing all our baby gates. For the last two years, ever since the boys began toddling, we have had gates throughout the house to limit the boys’ boundaries. This was our zone defense to keep the little ones confined and safe. For the adults, walking through our house was like negotiating Alcatraz’s multiple cell blocks; open one, close one. It was a hassle, especially for our guests, but after a while we just got used to it. Over time though, both boys learned how to open the gates themselves, and the devices became more of a suggestion than a deterrent. Now that the gates are gone, it feels so weird just walking through our house room to room unencumbered. Free ranging is going to take some getting used to.