Potential

When I gave birth to each of my kids, I had a lot of hopes and dreams for them. I looked at each of them and I saw so much potential. Just like a flower about to burst open, I knew their lives would be beautiful.


I was with Molly recently at the park. I had sprained my ankle on our morning walk with the dog and I couldn’t wait to finish my hobble home, but she wanted to stop and play. With unbridled joy she ran to the swings. Usually this would be followed by a “Mommy, can you please push me?” but today it was followed by a “Don’t worry, I can do this myself.” I almost cried.


I almost cried? Well on one hand, it was hard to walk; so, I was glad to hear she was a big girl. On the other hand, she didn’t need me anymore because she is big enough to do it herself. I didn’t realize the last time pushing my children on a swing had passed me by until that moment. Did I really appreciate it the last time I pushed her? Another job of mine has just been transferred.  My services are no longer needed.


We did a study in my mom’s group about building character in children. Research shows we aren’t allowing our children to fail at things so they aren’t developing the character traits necessary to become successful, happy, fulfilled adults. Failure, it turns out, is a key to success. As a mom, I can understand why parents don’t want to let their kids fail. It is so hard to let go and let them do things for themselves. You don’t want to see your kids hurt. You don’t want to see them sad, frustrated, or ill prepared. And, most selfishly, you want them to need you forever…even if it is just a little bit.


I saw great potential in my children on their very first day of life. Despite the moments I demonstrate less than ideal behavior (especially when it comes to spiders), I see my children each blossoming into wonderful little people right before my eyes. Molly proved to me that sometimes I too have to fail (in this case to always push her on the swing) so she can grow into who she is meant to be (or just so she can enjoy herself at the park).