Confidence in Children
Becca is loving her preschool aquatics summer camp! I had regrets signing her up the last week of summer, thinking we were going to miss out on our last chances at the beach this year. Turns out the weather is wet, cold and blustery all this week, so no loss.
It always amazes me how secure and content Becca is. She was my little clingy monkey once upon a time. Now she barely looks up as I am frantically waving bye and blowing kisses. Mind you her cute and cuddly brother is still clinging like a python. Hopefully he too will gain that inner balance and confidence when he is ready. We are going to attend MOPS again this year, maybe Ethan will find his confidence there. I am amazed at what one year can bring …. They were so tiny!
As I trudged through the wind and rain four times yesterday morning, I grumbled and moaned, despising living in an apartment just a little more than normal. Sure I have less to clean (more to keep organized due to lack of space), and less responsibility with no yard and such. However instead I have to navigate to the fourth floor of the building, with children, groceries, my sanity. We have a really lovely apartment in a building that smells of smoke and dampness (not always but enough to annoy the wanna-be house dweller ya know?)
I had an amazing run the other night. I went farther than ever and felt amazing. I realized that my sluggish runs as of late were due to running with emotional baggage, rather than running free. Who knew the weight of my heart could slow me down so much? I had to take down the Nike+ Plugin. My amazing Web Hosts at Laughing Squid caught that the plugin was erroring and sending my information for anyone (any geek) to see and use for evil. If you use the plugin, be aware that is a possibility.
I have some exciting news I can hardly wait to share with you … but I am going to wait just a little longer 
I know I am such a tease!
How do you build confidence in your child(ren)? Or yourself?
August 28th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Can’t wait. Good news on figuring out the running burden!
amandas last blog post..Check. Check. Damn.
August 28th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Someone’s pregnant or you made an offer?
GOod to know about the plugin. I think i’m going to get the Nike plus and a nano for Christmas. I had an awesome run last night too and thought of you! Wouldn’t it be nice if we could run together? When you come visit next we’ll have to do that!
much more than a moms last blog post..Ask The Audience: More Bed Crap
August 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am
One thing that has always worked for me building confidence in my own kids is just constantly telling them what a great job they are doing. I cheer for them during sports. I tell them how proud I am of them when they handle problems correctly, and when they bring good grades home.
Devilish Southern Belles last blog post..Feeling it this morning
August 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
My own opinion, confidence comes from doing. Of course, sometimes that backfires tremendously in failing, but there’s learning to be had there too. James now loves his swim lessons, wants to go twice a week (umm, not with soccer twice a week energy boy) and has taken pride in piano (but he doesn’t want to go twice a week
).
Lovingly backing them up, pushing them to expand their boundaries.
Hollys last blog post..Yikes! More than a week
August 28th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I was gonna guess pregnant, too!
I was gonna have Gabi in swimming classes that start this Saturday, but realized she would miss 2 of the 6 classes because of other commitments. Oh well maybe next time.
Shannon @ Gabi’s Worlds last blog post..Finding Courage Through Sharing Blog Carnival ~ August 2008
August 28th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Tease! Yup
It amazes me how our kids all of a sudden grow. Jillian has some moments this summer and while little it reminds me how fast they do grow up.
Jacquies last blog post..Wow 14!! Where did that come from!
August 28th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
P.S. I’m thinking you may have found “the one”!
Jacquies last blog post..Wow 14!! Where did that come from!
August 28th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Really I think we just tell our child how much we (and the rest of his family) love him and that gives him all the confidence that he needs!
We also make him make decisions for himself…and stick with them as well as do things for himself!
As for myself? Confidence wise? I have two things that I think about…
I would prefer to regret NOT doing something than for doing it.
Everyone has problems with confidnece. If only I knew that back in my teens!!! augh!!!
Sorry to say, but I’m loving the weather!! I so need to live here!
Can’t wait to hear the news! Better be telling us soon!
MOPS?!? There’s MOPS here?!? I’m actually the hospitality person for ours in GA!
Helens last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #5
August 28th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Confidence - ooooof, I would say that is a day to day lesson for me and the kids. Kinda like Nike - Just Do It! But it is tough…
August 28th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Oooh a juicy cliffhanger. I can’t wait!
I struggle with confidence building every day. I try to make Fa strong and proud but it is very hard. Just yesterday she was playing with a friend who has brothers and the brothers were teasing the girls. The friend was used to it but Fa got intimidated and she still won’t tell me exactly what happened. I fear confidence = trust. Trusting yourself in a situation and trusting that I has her mother can try to help. She seems to lack that. Help?
The Laundresss last blog post..Haiku Bye Fay
August 28th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Good News??? I love good news but as what your blog pals guessed about pregnancy then remember don’t run too much yet
I think to build confidence among my children I must show them just how confident I am in dealing with issues in & outside the house. Constantly telling them to be positive and be cheerful everyday
Well done on the running, you are cordially invited to run with me too at my gym haven
Hugs to Becca & Ethan…they are so adorable!!
August 28th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
So damn cute. I love this picture. Wow Becca is really growing up so fast. Swim camp-sounds like a ton of fun.
I am so happy that you are running. It is so nice. I will I could figure out how to run again without needing to pee every mile due to this baby growing inside of me.
Anyway, you are such a tease. Damn it!
Rachels last blog post..Random Thoughts
August 28th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I give Sierra “chores”. She loves helping around the house so her job is to feed the dog. By her feeding Molly she demonstrates that she’s superior/dominant to Molly too, so its a win-win situation! PS - how are you liking your new Nike+? I LOVE mine!
Mom On The Runs last blog post..Things In My Purse
August 28th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
The only time I did a tease like that I was pregnant…Are you going to join the land of the threes?
Heathers last blog post..No Thanks, Oh On Second Thought Yes
August 28th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I think confidence in kids is actually a developmental step, in most cases. We can do all sorts of things, but at some point, right in those preschooler years, they just get it–it’s tied into healthy separation from parents, methinks.
I’m so glad for you on the running. I use running for continued mental health–and as a barometer of what’s really going on with me. You are awesome.
Jocelyns last blog post..
August 29th, 2008 at 1:31 am
Chelle … such a tease! Who knew?
I would hate schlepping groceries and children up four flights, for sure….
Damselflys last blog post..What I’d Wear Wednesday: DYO shoes, part 2
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
That’s wonderful to hear that Becca enjoyed her aquatic class so much; sounds like it came at the perfect time w/the weather!