Your Child’s Inner fears

When your child has an Emotional Breakthrough: Yes I Can!

My son Zachary at 2 years old jumps Face first off the pool wall into a full-on Belly Flop.
Unaware of Fear and smiling all the way.

Our daughter Zoey at 5 is A little more delicate but still adventurous.
Her face when she sees her younger brother launch off the pool wall as she listens to everyone around clap for his bravery.

Up until now, she couldn’t get herself to do it.

She is feeling the pressure.
It’s pressure she is putting on herself.She knows her body can do it, but emotionally she is unsure.

Then she says it.
Daddy, I’m ready to try.

That’s All I needed to hear.

Zoey has already taught me that when she says those magic words, daddy I’m ready to try we are about to experience a breakthrough.

That’s when everything stops for me and I know this is the moment I have been waiting for and to help her through this small mental block she is having.

I reminded her that jumping off the wall into the pool and going underwater was just like learning how to ski.

1. I remind her of how she learned how to ski. We started very low on the hill. I would bring her higher up the hill as her emotional confidence and physical capabilities were growing equally.

2. She wore a Ski leash, which allowed me to give her some speed control as her confidence and experience grew.

3. She woke up one morning and said to me, daddy I’m ready to ski without the leash. And she did, that day we rode the gondola and ski top to bottom.

My favorite time this past winter was watching her understand she could accomplish anything in life. Her favorite time was the chocolate waffle at the end of the ski day with daddy.

Back to the pool.

I reminded her that jumping into the pool off the wall and going underwater was just like learning how to ski.

So we started the progression.

Sit on the Wall, hold my hand enters the pool Over and over.

She began smiling.

I began to see the worry be replaced with smiles.

I could see her confidence expanding.

She then stood up on the pool wall, still holding my hand.

She jumps.

Then the magic words happened again.

I’m ready to jump without you holding my hand.

She has said those Magic words for skiing, I heard her say it to me when she learned how to ride her bike without training wheels, now I am hearing them for her fearless pool plunge.

You would think jumping off the pool wall with her floaties on would be much easier than skiing down advanced trails or riding a bike.

Everyone is different.

Zoey jumped off the wall that day and has been happier because of her bravery ever since.

It’s the small victories each day that lead to more tomorrow.

These are GREAT reminders to help your child LINK up in their mind… Before I was scared but I know I can get by this.

Emotional blocks are the BIGGEST blocks humans face.

We are all no different than Zoey.

Of course, We recorded the event on video and uploaded it to her Instagram account to journal her life experiences.

I recommend you record your child’s Martial Arts journey. So they can look back to see how far they have come. This increases motivation when they see you taking such an interest in their development.

We talked about Her Breakthrough at dinner.
Asking her the how she felt question so she could link the feelings of, it’s ok to be nervous or scared at first.

But I want her to know that a mental decision to try, a progression and understanding of how to break things down into smaller learning pieces, and of course the TRUST of a parent or mentor to know that you won’t let them fail.

We celebrated with Ice cream of course.

A gentle reminder to all parents:

My goal with their Instagram page was to leave a progression of clues for them to see where they came from.

Parenting is the GREATEST Responsibility in the world.

I ACCEPT!
I love being a Dad.

P.S. Today is Zachary’s 2-year-old birthday party.

Zoey is standing next to me asking me what I am doing.

I told her I’m sharing her story of how she overcame her fear.

With a Great Big smile on her face, She tells me she is excited to show her cousins that she has overcome this temporary fear.

Aim High Zoey.  You can accomplish anything you put your mind to.