“People who rise after they stumble are often seen as a bit unruly. Perhaps that’s the best kind of daring.” — Brené Brown, Rising Strong.
He stumbled at least five times—maybe even more. I lost track. With each fall, I held my breath, anxious about whether he was hurt, both physically and emotionally. Watching someone you love fall can feel like a little piece of your heart shattering.
Initially, I regretted taking my son Leo to the park. We could have stayed home, cozy and relaxed. It was Leo’s idea to create our own obstacle course, inspired by the show American Ninja Warrior. Now, he was frustrated and defeated after a series of tumbles.
My younger son, Max, had breezed through the course in under three minutes, effortlessly conquering each challenge. “Great job, Max! You’re a ninja warrior!” we cheered.
Then it was Leo’s turn. After a shaky beginning, he navigated most of the course until he faced the final obstacle. Barefoot, he stepped onto the narrow beam, attempting to walk across it. Almost immediately, he lost his balance and fell. Undeterred, he tried to crawl up using the technique Max had just demonstrated.
He fell again.
And again.
“Come on, you’ve got this!” I encouraged. With each attempt, Leo’s frustration grew. His face reddened, and sweat dripped down his forehead. My husband and I exchanged worried looks. We had seen this scenario play out before and could predict the outcome. Leo would soon be too tired and too upset, likely to throw his arms up in a fit of tears and exclaim, “I can’t do it!” And honestly, who could blame him? I would have given up long ago. Yet, we kept cheering him on.
Minutes ticked by as he fell for what felt like the millionth time. Finally, he got back on the beam. Attempting to crawl again, Leo fell once more. But this time, he didn’t let go. He clung tightly to the beam and crawled upside down, inching his way to the top like a determined sloth.
“Woo-hoo!” we cheered. “You did it!”
“What was my time?” he asked, glancing over at Max, who had beaten him by a considerable margin. I braced myself for a potential meltdown. Losing to a younger sibling can be tough.
Leo flopped down on a bench, catching his breath. A moment later, he looked at Max and said, “I can’t believe how fast you made it through that last obstacle. You really nailed it!”
My husband and I exchanged bewildered glances. Instead of disappointment, Leo appeared genuinely proud of himself and happy for Max.
As we walked back to the starting line, we congratulated Leo—not because he had achieved something monumental or even completed the race, but because he had gotten back up. He had shown resilience. He hadn’t scored a touchdown or aced a test; he had merely finished an obstacle course on a hot Saturday afternoon. He had persevered. He had stood back up.
We often tell our children to be brave and to work hard. We remind ourselves to take risks and to be bold. Yet, as Brené Brown notes, “Daring greatly comes with a price; we must be prepared to face setbacks.” And that experience can be uncomfortable, messy, and often painful.
As parents, we tend to shower our children with praise for their achievements, and rightly so. But there’s a tendency to gloss over the struggles, to avoid discussing the falls and the messy parts of the journey. We focus on the successes—the high scores and the trophies—but in doing so, do we inadvertently send the message that falling equates to failure?
Earlier this summer, Leo pitched in his first baseball game. I feared he might walk several batters and leave the mound in tears. But after walking one, he struck out three in a row. We were all relieved. “Nice job! You must be so proud,” people said. I shared a celebratory photo on social media.
However, I would rather celebrate that day at the park when Leo persevered through his struggles. It’s crucial that he remembers how he picked himself up after falling and that he can do it again. His strength and resilience are what matter most, not just the fortunate outcomes.
In the end, Leo dared greatly, even when it meant falling hard. He climbed in his own way and on his own terms, showing both grit and grace. If you’re interested in learning more about family planning and fertility, check out this insightful resource on pregnancy and consider the couples’ fertility journey that can help you navigate your path. If you’re looking for tools for at-home insemination, explore this cryobaby at-home insemination kit for additional information.
Summary
In this narrative, we explore the importance of resilience and perseverance in children through the experience of Leo, who learns to get back up after falling numerous times while trying to complete an obstacle course. Instead of succumbing to frustration, Leo displays determination and ultimately triumphs, embodying the essence of grit and grace. This story emphasizes that while we celebrate achievements, we must also recognize the struggles and challenges that pave the way to success.
Keyphrase: Raising resilient children
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