My two boys are just 16 months apart, and they were energetic toddlers who seemed to have endless energy. As a parent, I often felt out of sync with other moms at the park who restricted their kids from watching TV. While I kept my opinions to myself, I secretly wished for a show that could hold their attention, even if just for a few minutes, so I could tackle the never-ending pile of dishes without finding cereal scattered all over the floor.
I knew that toddlers benefit more from engaging with parents than from screen time, but I simply couldn’t be the mom who dedicated every waking moment to the developmental needs of my children. Playing with them for hours on end was just not in my skill set. After a couple of hours on the floor with two small children, I often felt overwhelmed and at my wits’ end.
“Why can’t they just watch some TV?” I would lament, aware that I was breaking the so-called rules of modern parenting while hearing the judgmental whispers from the online parenting community.
Then, one lovely Sunday morning, I heard an unusual English accent and some snorting sounds coming from the playroom, which was unusually quiet. My oldest son, Jake, was laughing heartily while his younger brother napped. Peppa Pig and her family had captured his attention when Daddy Pig hilariously realized his glasses were perched on his head.
That brief moment of distraction lasted about 10 minutes, and it marked the start of a new chapter in our lives.
Just a few nights later, after a string of sleepless nights, Jake was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 2 years and 10 months. One minute he was climbing the tallest slide with reckless abandon, and the next, he was in a hospital bed receiving more needles than he had ever encountered. Our lives were suddenly turned upside down, and everything changed in an instant. I felt a new level of pain and love, and every moment spent with my children became precious.
After his first surgery, Jake developed severe bacterial meningitis in his spine, leaving him too weak to walk. Before he could regain his strength, treatment commenced, and he was soon back in the hospital. Over the next two and a half years, my brave boy never walked independently again. He faced 13 rounds of chemotherapy, 45 rounds of radiation, 19 surgeries, and spent more than 250 nights in a hospital bed. So, be careful what you wish for—we ended up watching a lot of TV.
Shows like Peppa Pig, Max & Ruby, and Wow! Wow! Wubbzy brought joy to Jake during his darkest days. While his little brother ran amok, Jake would sit in his favorite spot on the couch, giggling at the antics of his animated friends. I cherished those moments of laughter. Preschool shows became a saving grace, allowing us to spend precious time together.
One morning, Jake woke up unable to move, completely paralyzed. The very treatments meant to save him were slowly robbing him of his vitality. I asked him, “What do you want to do once you’re all better?” His eyes sparkled for a moment as he whispered, “I want to jump in a muddy puddle.”
This was quintessential Jake—full of life and adventure. Prior to the cancer diagnosis, he was a runner, climber, swimmer, and jumper. He longed to reclaim his childhood.
Jake passed away just days after his fifth birthday, and I like to think that he is now free to jump in muddy puddles, dance freely in the rain, slide down rainbows, and run through fields of wildflowers. He was denied the simplest pleasures while battling this disease, just like the 13,000 other children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. each year.
My husband and I have since established The Muddy Puddles Project, a fundraising initiative dedicated to the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation, which funds childhood cancer research in Jake’s memory. More importantly, it serves as a reminder to all parents to let their children experience the joy of childhood, especially for those who can’t.
Not long ago, I received an email from Peppa Pig’s marketing director, who shared clips of the show and noted that Peppa also enjoys jumping in muddy puddles. I chuckled, realizing it was Jake’s beloved Peppa who inspired his wish to jump in muddy puddles once he was well. The Muddy Puddles Project has since become Peppa Pig’s charity of choice.
Jake continues to sprinkle magic into our lives. I believe that Peppa did not reach out to us by mere chance; rather, a special force is at work, encouraging parents to let their kids jump in muddy puddles, explore with finger paint, read that extra bedtime story, and give piggyback rides to bed. Soon enough, they’ll grow up and see dirty clothes and wet shoes as mere inconveniences.
In memory of Jake and all children affected by cancer, I hope you will choose to embrace the joy of jumping in muddy puddles!
“The days are long, but the years are short.” –Gretchen Rubin
April showers bring…muddy puddles! Join Peppa Pig and the Muddy Puddles Project in celebrating National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day on April 1. We invite children across the country to don their wellies—rain or shine—and splash in some muddy puddles to raise awareness for childhood cancer. In honor of all children who have battled, are battling, and will battle cancer, let’s give cancer the boot! For more information, visit muddypuddlesproject.org and connect with us at our community page.
Summary: This heartfelt piece explores the author’s journey as a mother of two energetic boys, particularly after the devastating diagnosis of her older son with a brain tumor. It emphasizes the importance of allowing children to enjoy their childhood, including simple pleasures like jumping in muddy puddles. The author reflects on the joy that various TV shows brought during difficult times and shares the creation of The Muddy Puddles Project to honor her son’s memory and advocate for childhood cancer research.