“Look at this cool trick, mommy!”
A simple phrase that strikes fear in the heart of every mommy I know.
We’re at the park and I look over to see her attempting the monkey bars solo.
She’s got this look on her face that’s a mixture between pride and sheer terror. I am 100% sure she can’t make it across, or even to the next rung on her own. Brother is trying to help which only heightens her chance of falling to the ground and injuring herself before I can sprint over from the picnic table where their things are to help her down.
But I stay calm, I smile and tell her good job. I put on my brave face, and she does too. She’s suddenly confident she can hang on awhile longer.
This post has been sponsored by SmartyPants vitamins, a brand that knows all about gutsy kids!
I make it to her and instead of pulling her down, holding her close the way I want to, I hold on to her gently and help her all the way across. Praising her bravery and her strength. Encouraging her to try again, but next time to be sure mommy is close by to help if she needs it.
I want my kids to be brave. To soar. To have confidence in trying new things and to always see the world as a wonderful thing to explore. I say all of this, but at the same time my instinct is to suppress every sense of wonder and curiosity they want to express. I want to shelter them from the world and everything in it. I want to wrap them in bubbles and make sure they are never harmed.
But I don’t. Because my kids have guts and bravery in the most beautiful and innocent of ways and I want to nurture that, while helping them make wiser choices.
We talk a lot about the difference between being brave, and making poor choices.
I want them to learn to recognize that distinction as they learn about the world and making decisions in it.
We talk about how sometimes bravery means trying something new at the playground. Other times it means choosing kindness or standing up for the right thing when no one else in your class is doing the right thing.
I tell them how doing something unsafe just because it seems cool is not a brave choice, but a foolish one.
It’s a hard distinction for them to understand, but slowly they’re getting it.
And I’m learning too.
Learning to let go a little. To let them try fun new things that might make me nervous, but deep down I know they can handle.
We all want what’s the very best for our kids, and I love having the chance to learn this lesson with them.
Speaking of the best for our kids, that comes to their health too. It used to stress me out so much, trying to find a balance between what they should be eating each day and what they were actually willing to eat. Since my husband has taken over the cooking now that I work full time, that stress has been passed of (yay!) but there are still so many things to worry about health-wise. It seems like every time you turn around some one is telling you that something you’re giving your kids isn’t quite right for this reason or that.
I’m really excited about Smarty Pants vitamins and dietary supplements because they make it really easy for you to see what’s in them! Everything is on the label and it explains when your kids might need them too!
They let you know what goes into your kids gummies, and it’s no junk! No GMOs, no synthetic colors, no artificial sweeteners preservatives or flavors, no high fructose corn syrup, no gluten, no tree nuts and no dairy!
What they DO put in is 7x more CFUs than other leading gummy probiotics. They are multi-strain and in spore form which means they can stand up to time, temperature and harsh stomach aid.
They promote optimal digestive and immune health for happier bellies!*
I love being able to be confident in what I’m giving my kids, and clear labels printed with words I can understand is a great first step! Every mom knows, the other huge hurdle is finding things that are good for the kids, that they’ll actually WANT to eat. My kids gave these two thumbs up each! The tasty strawberry crème flavor had them asking when they’d be allowed to take another one!
That’s one less stress for me to worry about so we can go back to daring adventures with the kids as the learn new things and try new acts of bravery!
How do you handle it when your kids want to try something that makes you nervous? Share in the comments! And don’t forget to pick up your bottle of SmaryPants vitamins and probiotics for your kids, at places like Target or Walgreens and even Amazon!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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