Since I’ve been on this boundary journey, I am constantly looking for lessons, examples, and boundaries in action.
This past weekend, I discovered them at the Nashville Zoo.
My husband and I were in town visiting family, and we decided to take our 2-year-old granddaughter (Oh yeah… I got married in March and became an insta- stepmom and insta- grandma) to the zoo.
There we were, wandering the park. The question on everyone’s lips (or maybe just mine)… Do we get to touch any of the animals? My husband is used to this. We are all fairly confident that I’ll die petting something I shouldn’t.
We did our research and learned that the Kangaroo Kickabout had 18 red kangaroos just waiting for some hands-on attention. We made our way towards their enclosure and were met by a zookeeper who gave us the rules of our meet and greet.
“If the kangaroos are on the path, you are welcome to gently touch them. If they are off the path, that means they are off limits.”
Boundary expert here! I wouldn’t dream of disrespecting someone’s boundaries… especially a roo roo! (No, that’s not what my granddaughter calls them. That’s me.)
Now, let me be clear. I don’t believe that the kangaroos held a meeting with the zookeepers and ironed out a plan regarding their boundaries. I also doubt that the zookeepers sat the kangaroos down one day and explained it to them.
More than likely, the zookeepers knew that the kangaroos would figure out pretty quickly that being on the path means they get loved on, whereas being off the path means no one chases after them.
The kangaroos have boundaries, and from what I could see, those boundaries were enforced by staff and respected by visitors. In fact, when we went through with the kiddo, there was not a single kangaroo on the path. They were lounging on the dirt and relaxing on their patio while hordes of children and adults alike basked in their cuteness – but kept their hands to themselves. We left the enclosure, and though sad, I accepted that there would be no kangaroo petting that day.
That’s the thing about boundaries. You may not like them in other people, but you still have to respect them. The next time you encounter a boundary, remember the roo roos and keep your hands to yourself.
Oh… and we just happened to be heading past the enclosure on the way out of the zoo. And there just happened not to be anyone in there… except a kangaroo chillin’ on the path. At this point, I abandoned the family and made a beeline.
Her name is Molly. I gave her scritchy scratches on her bum. Kangaroos feel like soft felt… and I live to pet another day.
Have you ever encountered a boundary you didn’t like?
If you’d like more tips on setting healthy boundaries, my book, “You Had Me At No” is now available on Amazon.
Happy boundary setting (and respecting)!
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