Just Try

Ella and I enjoyed a rare late afternoon hour together outside while her brother took a prolonged nap. We soaked in the sun and chatted while she swung in the backyard. Soon her attention shifted to her bicycle and I was grateful. This was the perfect time for me to focus on her without worrying about helping Ezra on a trike or chasing him down the street.

My daughter, like so many of us, wavers in confidence in unexpected places and sometimes lets fear keep her from moving forward. I’ve seen this with her bicycle many times. She is entirely capable of riding down hills, turning in driveways, and using the handbrake. In fact, she consistently does it on her friend’s bicycle. The only difference: smaller wheels. But those wheels make all the difference mentally.

Today, I just talked up what I knew she could already do and, seeing that she was receptive to encouragement, told her to just try and see what she could do. I talked her through the steps, grew genuinely excited with each achievement, and reminded her of what she was accomplishing. In just a short time, she was riding down the driveway, turning onto the sidewalk without pausing and pumping up and down the street, going up and down every driveway in her path. The look of exhilaration on her face made my entire week.

As I watched her, I considered the things I tell myself I can’t do. The difficult things I refuse to face. The moments when all I see are hurdles and roadblocks. Every day, we are encouraging our daughter to “just try.” There is no promise that she’ll be perfect at it today or that she’ll get it just right or that it won’t be frustrating. But, truly, childhood is built upon trying new things, developing skills, forcing yourself to do scary things. It’s no wonder kids get exhausted and cranky sometimes.

Looking at the triumph in Ella’s eyes reminded me that I should follow my own advice. I know from experience – much of it over the past few years – that putting yourself out there, testing the waters, pushing yourself to go beyond what you know you can comfortably do is the only way to really grow. That’s how I have this blog, why I’m pregnant with my third child, cloth diapering, writing for the local newspaper, trying to help establish a children’s museum in my community. It’s all about stretching yourself, trying, and trusting that the experience along the way is worth it.

Friday Update: I love how we were just outside and I can hear her saying “I can do it!” repeatedly as she rode. She actually fell over 3 or 4 times and just got right back up!