Giving Our Children Roots and Wings

We had the privilege this year of watching not one, but two nests in our hanging baskets this year. Early in the spring it seemed as if the Juncos were waiting for the baskets to be hung because they immediately began building their nest.

Deep in the soil between the roots of the plants, the adult birds created a small masterpiece.

This hanging basket is right beside the front door. We were able to take a peek at the progress each time we passed. One day a small blue spotted egg appeared. The next day another, and each day another until there were four eggs nestled in the bottom of what seemed a huge nest for such tiny eggs.

With anticipation we checked the nest and watched the four eggs hidden deep in the basket. The adult birds spent a great deal of time sitting on the nest and if we leaned in to take a look, would fly a short distance and chirp very loudly to try to draw us away from their precious nest.

About a week later to our great excitement, a tiny ball of fluff appeared next to the other eggs and soon we were watching four tiny beaks pointing upwards. At first, when the mother was away, the babies would curl into tight little balls that barely filled the bottom of the nest.

We watched as the parents took turns bringing food and listened to the chorus of chirps as the babies raised their beaks eagerly upwards. Day by day, the babies increased in size and soon the nest was looking too small for the four birds.

Everyone coming and going from our home shared our excitement in watching the growing family.

It was no surprise then to discover one day that the nest was empty! But the mother bird was still close by and chirping wildly.

We inspected the garden plants under the hanging basket and discovered that the babies were hiding on the ground beneath the nest.

If you are a parent, you have witnessed the miracle of a child’s development.

From the anticipation of birth through to early adulthood, each stage of a child’s development brings challenges and responsibilities.

The adult birds carefully chose the perfect spot for their nest. They excavated soil, transported nest material and constructed the perfect size home for their prospective family.

In the same way as our first born’s birth date neared, we bought furniture, prepared a room, and stocked up on all the necessities in expectation of our new arrival.

The adult birds sat on the eggs, sheltering them from predators, regulating the temperature and waiting for the day the eggs would hatch.

Our newborn baby was so helpless! He was totally dependant on us to take care of his every need. We were responsible for keeping him safe, fed, clean and healthy.

As the eggs hatched, the parent birds were kept busy finding food but also protecting the young birds.

As our son grew, we were responsible for keeping him safe, making sure his needs were met, but also training him to be ready to one day ‘leave the nest’.

When the young birds had outgrown their nest and were fully feathered, the day came when they spread their wings and fluttered away. The parents stayed close and made sure that the fledglings were fed and safe, but the babies were now on their own.

I remember how difficult it was the day each of my sons left home to begin their own lives.

Letting go and trusting that they would be able to make their own decisions was a difficult but necessary process.

As I watched the young birds hop through the garden with the adult birds chirping their encouragement, I was reminded that my role as a parent was to prepare my children to fly on their own but to also be the connection to their childhood ‘nest’ support throughout their lives.

Louise Cianflone

ARCT, BGS, M. Ed.

Educator, Musician

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Flavio and Louise Cianflone

Music Transcends All Life Publication

Flavio Cianflone (Nanaimo)

B.Sc. Ed. M.Ed. P.B.C.E.

Copyright 2021

FLAVIO CIANFLONE

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0oXwVXA_rw4XxM6QuUg0w

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