go vertical

Bungy Trampoline is a favourite of thrill seeker Cerise. This is the highlight for her when she goes to fairs and theme parks.

You can imagine how devastated she was when we queued for a turn at Six Flags America in Chicago and she was told she was too short and too light for it (she was 3 years old at the time). No amount of but-she-does-this-all-the-time-in-New-Zealand-she'll-be-absolutely-fine-I-give-my-consent-and-you-won't-be-liable explanation could change her fate. I didn't have the heart to tell her she wasn't getting any of it so I demanded the man who sealed her fate to go tell Cerise himself. The truth is, I doubted she'd believe me and I was afraid she might throw some unwanted tantrums. Sadness was written all over her face. She was breathing deep and hard as she fought tears from falling down her cheeks, her button nose went as red as rudolph's. We walked away from it quietly, as if she knew there were no words to say to each other, and never looked back.

I envy her when I watch her. I wish I had the courage or even the nerve to do it myself. I always wonder why only kids dare do this when really, it's for all ages. I doubt that adults think it's scary at all. I bet, like me, they think they'd look ridiculous jumping up and down and flipping over. But wouldn't it be fun? Of course! Imagine the adrenalin rush and the sensation of bouncing so high up in the air. Sadly, ageing can strip you off of your sense of adventure and taint you with pointless self-consciousness.

Seriously, people should consider having one of these in their backyard or even inside the office building where anyone who is stressed out or is having a nervous breakdown can get on it and bounce their stresses away. It could possibly save marriages, enhance parent and child relationships and eliminate out-of-control workmates.

Do you think if I just go ahead and do it, other parents might in fact follow suit then I won't look as silly and eveyone gets to have some fun? Or would I just be embarrassing myself AND my daughter AND my husband? Nah... too risky. Where is the fun in me gone?