What's it mean to be a good Mom? Or a good Dad? What determines "Success"? One of my most important parenting goals is to raise children who can go out into the world with confidence.
I had a great teacher of confidence and self-esteem - my Mom. From my earliest memories, I remember that if I ever expressed any self-doubt, my Mom would reassure me and not let me put myself down. As we drove down the road when I was 3 or so, I was reading the Speed Limit signs, Stop signs, etc. My mom said something about me "reading". I said "I can't read!" She said, "Yes, you can! You're reading the signs right now!" And I realized, sure enough, Mom was right. That was the beginning of how my Mom taught me to have confidence. From water-skiing at age seven, to entering spelling bees and track meets, taking gymnastics, and playing softball, any time I thought I couldn't do it, wasn't good enough, or that someone else was better, my mom would let me know that I could do anything I wanted to. Somewhere along the way, it worked. My sisters and I are all doing pretty well now. Thanks MOM!
 |
| Taylor swimming at Papa and Grandma's House |
As a parent, any time your child faces a challenge, you have a choice to make...
do you coddle them in case they fail and get hurt? or do you encourage them and let them know that you have confidence in them to be successful?
 |
Derek swimming at Papa and Grandma's house |
In early life, these are usually physical challenges... the first steps, first climbs, sitting in a big chair rather than the high chair, going down stairs, riding a tricycle, swimming, riding a bicycle with training wheels, doing a somersault. Every single one of these is an opportunity to instill confidence in your child. Mastering physical challenges in early childhood helps a child gain self-esteem that will translate across all of life's greater challenges.
 |
| Derek on the trampoline |
 |
| Taylor at swimming lessons, June 2010 |
 |
Derek hanging out on Papa's Ranger
|
 |
| Derek & Taylor in the airplane to Taylor's therapy appt |
 |
| Taylor doing the Trampoline Bungee at A Grape Event, Hearts for Hearing fundraiser at Plymouth Valley Cellars |
I had a great teacher of confidence and self-esteem - my Mom. From my earliest memories, I remember that if I ever expressed any self-doubt, my Mom would reassure me and not let me put myself down. As we drove down the road when I was 3 or so, I was reading the Speed Limit signs, Stop signs, etc. My mom said something about me "reading". I said "I can't read!" She said, "Yes, you can! You're reading the signs right now!" And I realized, sure enough, Mom was right. That was the beginning of how my Mom taught me to have confidence. From water-skiing at age seven, to entering spelling bees and track meets, taking gymnastics, and playing softball, any time I thought I couldn't do it, wasn't good enough, or that someone else was better, my mom would let me know that I could do anything I wanted to. Somewhere along the way, it worked. My sisters and I are all doing pretty well now. Thanks MOM!
No comments:
Post a Comment