I wish I could throw the word "can't" in the garbage and remove it from the vocabulary of my daughter. When she doubts herself about her abilities I drop whatever I'm doing and try to talk with her about why she's feeling that way and what things would help her through it. The other day we were going to get together with a new neighbor and her kids. (Can I just say how thrilled I am that we finally have some young couples in our neighborhood. It's very new and we're all pretty excited since we live a bit out of town and are in an older subdivision with some very nice older people with grown children who have their own lives and no longer live here. A friend for PJ and Lu usually means a new friend for me so that is always exciting!) There wasn't any school on this day and so we never got out of our pajamas. It was decided that after nap time we would go down to play at the neighbors house. When came downstairs she was grinning from ear to ear with pride. She knew that to go play she'd have to do her 'get up and go' routine. Our 'get up and go' is something we do on days we have somewhere to be. Nobody leaves the second floor of the house until they have their clothes for the day on, teeth brushed and hair done. Only after those things are done can you come down for breakfast. Harsh? Maybe, but it's the only way we get anywhere on time and really lights the fire to get everyone moving. When she came down she had done 100% of her 'get up and go' on her own without being asked to do any of it. She was so proud and jumped up and down squealing "I did it! I really did and I did it all by myself!" You sure did little lady, well done!
She put on capri pants on a cold day and a short sleeved shirt. Not to be one to discourage anything that she just accomplished I told her I should go get dressed too and asked her to go outside and see if it was warm out. She ran back in saying "Brr Mama, it's cold out, I better put some more clothes on and be sure you dress warm too" ok kid, you got it. This gem of an outfit was her resolution to the original outfit she put on. Baby leg/arm warmers over her jean capri's, a hoodie, gloves and a hat. :)
Way to wear it with confidence kid! I have had very little say in her wardrobe for quite some time now and I'm perfectly ok with that. Today we even went to my doctor appointment with hair I had a hard time letting her leave the house with. When she looked in the mirror and said "Mama, I think my curls are lookin pretty good today. Can I skip doing anything to it? I'm ok with it" I didn't really think I should go against that.
So when I plan my tomorrow and get ready for that next step, whatever it may be in life, I think I'll 'get up and go' like PJ does. Eye on the prize! For her it was getting to play with a friend. For the rest of us, whatever it is, lets just lead with confidence and take pride in our steps, no matter what!
